Crusaders v Reds: The Final Replay Preview

Steve Timms May 5, 2012 20

I have found memories of these teams last match…

Everyone gets excited for a final replay, and it is no exception for this one. Though there are plenty of difference from the big one last year.

The Crusaders are actually playing in Christchurch again, and they are clearly enjoying it. They have shaken off the shackles of the somewhat traditional early season form and are really starting to hit their straps. The most noticeable, for me, occasion of this was their clinical display against the Stormers. Since they have gone from strength to strength A great example of this is one Dan Carter is unable to claim his preferred 10 jersey, with young Tom Taylor keeping him at 12.

The Reds have also had their early season troubles. Their run of injuries have been well documented, but the way play makers have been falling the champs have had trouble building some continuity. While everyone is careful not to blame injuries, and rightfully so, they impact of so many in one key position is undeniable. The tide is starting to turn though.

Last week Sully spoke about the return of A Faingaa, against the Blues while that might have been the difference (some may argue the singing of the team song after made the biggest difference). This week, Ant not only gets to start the match, but he will have his hair dressing duties reinstated as well. Yep, brother Saia Faingaa is back too. They are also playing another Kiwi team… is that an omen?

Probably not, unfortunately. This crusaders team is not quite the easy beats the Jafa’s from last week were.

The return of Saia helps boost front row stocks, though with the little time Anae has been getting, it is hard to tell how much. One plus will it might give Chibba a rest, not that he has looked like needing it. Anae doesn’t get punted from the squad though, he is retained on the bench. Greg Holmes gets promoted to the starting side due to the injury of Ben Daley (Hamstring).

Also in the forwards Radike Samo, who has managed to raise the required money, for his Fijian village, to save his fro, returns to the 22 with space made due to the injury of Beau Robinson (Fibia). Like his son last week, that might mean the weight is lifted and we will see a classic performance from him. Especially if his try for GPS in Premier Rugby on the weekend is anything to go by.

For the Crusaders, changes to the team that played the Waratahs last week are…

…yep, none. The only blip is Sean Maitland bracketed (at the time of writing) with Adam Whitelock due to a “high” ankle injury. Not what a high ankle is exactly, but rest assured, if he can run, he will play.

Teams

Crusaders: 1. Ben Franks, 2. Corey Flynn, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Tom Donnelly, 6. George Whitelock, 7. Matt Todd, 8. Kieran Read, 9. Andy Ellis, 10. Tom Taylor, 11. Zac Guildford, 12. Dan Carter, 13. Robbie Fruean, 14. Sean Maitland/Adam Whitelock, 15. Israel Dagg Reserves: 16. Ben Funnell, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Samuel Whitelock, 19. Richie McCaw, 20. Willi Heinz, 21. Ryan Crotty, 22. Tom Marshal

Reds: 1. Greg Holmes, 2. James Hanson, 3. James Slipper, 4. Rob Simmons, 5. James Horwill (c), 6. Jake Schatz, 7. Liam Gill, 8. Scott Higginbotham, 9. Will Genia (vc), 10. Ben Lucas, 11. Digby Ioane, 12. Mike Harris, 13. Anthony Faingaa, 14. Dom Shipperley, 15. Luke Morahan Reserves: 16. Saia Faingaa, 17. Albert Anae, 18. Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19. Radike Samo, 20. Eddie Quirk, 21. Nick Frisby, 22. Rod Davies

Details

Kick-off 14:00 AEST, AMI Stadium, Christchurch:
LIVE on FOX Sports 3HD & 3 from 14:00 AEST
LIVE on 612 ABC Brisbane & Coast FM, Grandstand Digital Brisbane and streamed online at www.abc.net.au/grandstand from 13:45 AEST
Be part of the conversation on Twitter using #CRUvRED and make sure you’re following @gagr

Referee: Bryce Lawrence
Assistant Referees: Vinny Munro, Kane McBride
TMO: Matthew Muir

Game Breaker

The forward packs will have at it, and with old Brycie back on the whistle (yep, that’s how realistic the final replay will be) it will be interesting to see if Liam Gill will have the street smarts to exploit Bryce’s “Style”. I really think the reds will miss the abrasiveness that Beau brings to the team in this match.

Really though, the title fight has to be the battle of the midfield will be awesome. Will the starch of Ant and Mike be able to hold back the formidable pairing of Carter and Fruean?

The Fearless Prediction

My fearless prediction is that, despite the Crusaders wearing a charity strip for St John’s, the ambulance boys will be kept twiddling their thumbs as it will be injury free for the Reds.

I will however tip the Crusaders to get home, by either 3 or 21 points. I know, but it will either be tight, or a blow out, I can’t see middle ground.

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POSTED IN » Northern Provincial Rugby, Queensland Reds, Super Rugby

About the author: Steve Timms View all posts by Steve Timms

Steve Timms, He likes watching the odd game of Rugby, occasionally writes about it.. Proud member of the original Mudchooks.

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Discussion

Skip

If Bryce (former nz ref of the year!) wamts to get out if the stadium alive, he’ll run most decisions through ruchie first. He wpn’t need to though, the saders look darn good & they’ll be up for this but i reckon the department for black is actually white will be dealing with some bryce special like him saying “hands off black 7…..hands off….turn over”. Hopefully it’ll be a cracker though.
Rob

High ankle injuries can be pretty bad. The ligaments that connect the tib/fib are affected and it can be more painful and take longer to recover from than your average ankle rolls. (Hard luck to Adam W, but would love to see Maitland back on the pitch – wonderful player!)
the realist

As an Australian it would be great if the reds won purely for patriotic reasons. As an Australian it will also be good to see the reds get spanked (which they no doubt will) in order to curb the parochial calls from reds fans that their mediocre forwards should all be picked for the wallabies at the season’s end. We’ll take the locks but no more than that thank you.
- muffy
  
  you will take what we give you… and you will like it
  - the realist
    
    muffy i hope as your name suggests you are female otherwise i must object!
BloodRed

Didn’t realize Mr Lawrence was on whistle duty. Last year the Reds and the Wallabies worked out his breakdown free-for-all style to some advantage. I think he has tightened up a bit at the ruck but we are all creatures of habit and no doubt with Richie back on the field (is he starting?) I am going to assume that the offside line and definition of being on one’s feet will be a bit blurry. I agree that Beau’s abrasiveness will be missed although I think that Gill is starting to outplay him, particularly WRT slowing opposition ball down. My prediction is he will take advantage of the Lawrence “lassez faire” and have a blinder. Scoreline?…..no idea but not much in it.
- Garry
  
  NZRU are bringing Bryce out of mothballs, for a chance at redemption. As part of his 10 steps process, he must make amends for the perceived wrongdoings of last years Super rugby final.
http://landoftheunit.wordpress.com/ Sully

Unfortunately, on this one, I have to agree with Steve. This will probably be the end f the Reds tilt at defending their title. If they come away from this game without the points it looks like a bridge too far for my favourite team. I’ll be screaming for the boys come Sunday and if they win I’ll be ecstatic but I’m not expecting it.
Gordo of Brisbane

Fully agree with you Sully. This is a MUST win (in the most inhospitable of places) for a Reds outfit whom believe in themselves but must execute a near perfect game. The thing is lads, sometimes on a distant pitch, in a tucked away corner of a distant land and amongst fierce hostilities with no support, men dig deep and have the fight of their lives. I am tipping the Queenslanders to do just that on just this day. Make us proud boys…we know you have it.
Gallagher

Thats the spirit Gordo!!!! I see the Reds digging deep with this one, true Fruean can run and Carter can pinpoint kick and pass, but Ant can shut them down and Digby can punch just as hard as Freuan, true Richie can inspire (and hes only off the bench!), but Horwill knows a thing or two about inspiring a team too (Reds Super title, Wallabies Trinations title!). Gill and Higgers have Todd and Reids measure, and Genia and Lucas are looking sharp! My main issues revolve around the Franks and Dagg, as I feel Holmes/Slipper are ever so slighty underdone in this department. Morahan is awesome dont get me wrong, but he can disappear in defence sometimes. If Link can get the Reds to fire on a game plan as they did against the Blues, we are in for a real chance to take this.
Piggy

Bryce Lawrence…
bill

Drat. Probably our best performance so far, still came up short, but that should give the squad some belief they can achieve something.

Won’t hold my breath to hear all the kiwis bemoan Bryce’s consistencies ( although one kiwi commentator did point out some issues) if ever there was an evening up of things by a ref, I wouldn’t go so far as to say Bryce was wrong, but over 80 minutes he certainly displayed a commendable flexibility to his interpretations…. Well played to the Cru, and they did show a pretty high base skill level, just lacked some finishing.

Think Simmons pretty much answered his doubters about his worth today. As did Ant Faingaa. And Higgers…Overall a pretty damn fine performance from the whole team.
bill

It’s a bit of sour grapes, but that attacking lineout that Faingaa got called for delaying the throw in, did anyone hear Bryce warn him? It definitely was taking the piss but I didn’t hear him communicate at all.
- Davey
  
  There was no warning, Bryce simply reacted to the theatrical arm waving from the Cru. Honestly it’s going the way of bloody soccer.
Big Kev’s My Bromance

Trying to pinpoint the precise moment when Bryce f*cked over the Reds, and it’s tempting to nominate the moment he drove into the car park before the game.

But the late penalty against Gill that gave the Cru back the lead takes some beating. Yes, probably a justified penalty (bordeline, but probably ok), but how could he not see the Cru winger, and one other from the home team, enter that breakdown and go completely off their feet in trying to seal off the ball, before Gill had a go at the ball? Have the Crusaders cloned Black Seven’s cloak of invisibility?

A classic example of Bryce’s selective refereeing, and his unmatched ability (ok, maybe Kaplan and Dicko are close) to pluck a home town decision out of his arse.
aussie werewolf in london

Sorry but i remember the glory days when australians would not whinge about the ref every time they lost. Perhaps a little more discipline is in odrer!
aussie werewolf in london

correction: order
- muffy
  
  you are right about whinging about the ref, that’s for Saffas, but I was VERY frustrated with BLs reffing, I have said it before, I believe he refs one side at a time, he cannot seem to watch both teams objectivly, it doesn’t matter who he’s reffing.
  - aussie werewolf in london
    
    Okay glad to know that you do not condone whinging about the referee…….. apart of course from the whinge you just had. I love the irony.
    - Big Kev’s My Bromance
      
      On the other hand, not whingeing about Bryce is a dereliction of duty by anyone who’s seen him in action ove the past year or so…