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International Roaming: Recharged Crusaders ‘More Better’

Roscoe Tims July 5, 2011 113

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The Canterbury Crusaders, of no fixed abode, showed last weekend what they’re really made of and you’d have to say it’s not too much different from previous years.

They’re perennial Super Rugby finalists and in recent weeks have been performing a bit like my new Triumph Bonneville — firing on all cyclinders!

The best rugby player on the planet

Their win against the Stormers was one of the best matches I’ve seen this Super season. Not because of too many flashy plays, but it reminded me of the Wallabies’ win over the All Blacks in the 2003 RWC semi-final.

What they did then was squeeze the life out of the ABs, and that’s what the Crusaders did on Saturday night to our Kaapstad friends.

With a near Test match-quality forward pack, the Crusaders gave the Stormers hell in the scrums, at the breakdown and in defence. At the end, the Stormers were broken men — defeated and demoralised after a humiliating loss.

They couldn’t even get over the gain line. And this was a side that had won 67 per cent of possession in the first half and 55 per cent overall, and made 75 tackles to the Crusaders’ 92. All against a well-travelled and homeless Kiwi outfit.

I thought the Crusaders would be feeling the cumulative effects of all this travel but that doesn’t seem to be the case. I think there’s a simple answer to that: they’ve probably just got used to it and it’s become the norm.

But let’s not overplay this. After their match against the Reds in Week 15 they had a bye, played the Blues in Timaru, the Hurricanes in Wellington and the Sharks in Nelson. That’s hardly travelling, they’re all just down the bloody road!

What the Crusaders have proved is that they’re mentally very tough and will be a huge challenge for their opponents this weekend. In fact, I think they’ll be too experienced and hardened for this young Reds team.

Monty used to call it ‘grip’ in a battle context. The Crusaders have the ability to ‘grip’ a match and tightly control its direction. Like the Reds, the Crusaders have the smarts and the players to tactically change from Plan A to Plan B if required.

Where are the Crusaders’ weaknesses? There certainly weren’t any exposed last weekend. They’re a well-balanced unit with grunt in the tight five and an ability to dominate the breakdown. They are the best counter-rucking team in the competition.

They’ve also the most capable backline general in the world, a midfield to-die-for and speed in the three-quarters (counter-attacking especially). Crikey, what else would you need? Oh yeah, Sir Richie, the Crusaders’ knight in white satin….

Cru: firing on all cylinders

Many of these guys have played in Super Rugby finals before and know what’s expected. As we’ve neared the business end of the comp they’ve commensurately raised their intensity level.

Where are the Reds’ weaknesses? There’s been some line-out fragility of late, the goal-kicking is inconsistent and the creaky scrum will be contesting against the strongest provincial Super Rugby eight in the world.

That’s not forgetting a defensive weakness at 10 (or is that 15?), although that’s sometimes turned into a strength on the counter.

The Reds don’t have players like an Owen Franks, a Brad Thorn, a Richie McCaw, a Dan Carter or an SBW — all world-class.

I think you’d say Sanchez Genia and Digby Ioane are in that group, with Quade Cooper likely to take the mantle off Carter in due course, but none of the forwards are quite of that quality. If you were picking a composite side right now, how many Reds would be in it?

Ah, you say, but we beat them in Round 15. The Reds had a terrific win over the Cru in THE best match of the year (well, next to the Round 18 Sharks v. Bulls). Didn’t that give us some confidence?

But there are six changes from that game, which effectively weaken the Reds (losing Slipper, Morahan and Lucas) and strengthen the Crusaders (gaining Ellis, if he plays, Sam Whitelock and Maitland). In my view, the Crusaders are stronger and in better form than in Round 15.

I’m not down-selling the Reds here. They’ve been terrific all year and as a season ticketholder I’ve invested in their success. They’re creative, got pizazz and won’t die wondering on Saturday night. Expect the unexpected!

Owen Franks world class

But: the forwards will be under the pump at the set piece and on the deck and I’m not sure they’ll have the answer to the questions posed. I’ve liked Ben Daley‘s go-forward and Kev Horwill’s commitment. The Beau Robinson and Radike Samo stories are inspiring for all the right reasons. In fact, the team is really greater than the sum of its parts.

Link MacKenzie and his young charges have been fantastic for Australian rugby this year — given it a huge boost in the arm and the future promises big things (even Timmy Horan’s Reds dynasty could be a goer).

The replacement turf, due to the flooding, held up remarkably well at Suncorp Stadium last weekend despite the potential for disaster.

Floods there might have been, but on Saturday night I fear the Reds are going to meet their Waterloo. Perhaps they could phone a friend?

Lance says: ‘Crusaders by 12′.

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POSTED IN » Queensland Reds, Rugby, Super Rugby
About the author: Roscoe Tims View all posts by
Roscoe Tims (aka Lance Free): A nasty, opinionated little man whose views are indeed narrow with a capital 'N'. Favourite Sport: mungo bashing. Does he ever have anything positive to say?

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Discussion »

  • Skip

    New triumph huh? Being G&GR grumpiest writer pays well then?

    jk, enjoy your work and i fear your prediction may be true but pray it is not.

    • westy

      No doubt the Cru win on paper but thats not the game, is it. At home we’ve seen the Reds put one over the Cru and thats proof of home ground advantage. What will decide it in the end is the number of penalties the Reds are forced give away, in particular at scrum time.

      Their success in the round robin match was as much by limiting penalty shots as anything else. McKenzie will stick to that same simple game stratgey thats worked for them before and trust individual flair of all those names we regularly mention and home finals atmosphere to try and bring it home for the reds. Hope it works.

      GO REDS!

  • densamer

    If you were MRTIMMS I’d be worried – his tipping has been phenomenal this year.

  • KingofDubai

    Staring back at the Reds over the half way line before kick off looking relaxed as hell, the ‘saders will be thinking its just another day in the office.

    The Reds nervous as all get out, will be thinking “Fhark theyve done this 7 times before”.

    Good luck to The Reds but my house, if I had to bet, would be on the boys from Christchurch to win their 8th f*king Super title.

    Damn.

    • bill

      Nerves last as long as it takes oxygen debt to hit, for an openside, 2mins. Other creatures, something else.

  • skippy

    I’d love to see the Reds win, I’m a big fan… but the Crusaders are just much more composed and their team have more big game experience through Carter, McCaw, Thorn etc and their scrum and kickng game will be the basis for victory. The best hope for the Reds is too come out, all guns blazing and blow them away and never let them get into the game. That’s a hard task to maintain for 80 minutes. If the Crusaders get a foothold they will slowly squeeze the Reds to death.

    • bill

      The cru may have more compusure, in experience, at super 15/14/12 levels. Maybe that will work for them. But it’s not a given, and I’d never think it’s a given between these two teams. It’s earnt.

      I certainly agree with you bill – it’s not a given. I desperately want the Reds to win and hope they do, but in the cold, hard light of day my head says they’ll struggle.

      Lance

      • bill

        Lance: are you you gonna give me a reach a round? I have no idea how u posted that on my post. I know I’m posting on a PS3 but come on. :)

        bill: the world works in mysterious ways….

        • bill

          Oh, site admin, + the beau business, what can I say it eventually seeps through my cranium.

  • cantab

    I think the ‘saders will dominate most areas of play, if not all. However the reds will score points against the run of play and in broken play. Saders domination of set piece and intelligent kicking will put pressure on the reds and allow Carter to chip away. My prediction is for the reds to cross the white line at least as much as the ‘saders however the ‘saders to take the game. One of the Reds tight five to spend ten on the sideline.

    - bit synical but I hope it pisses down, then we see how fast rodney rocket is, how well coopers fancy footwork holds up in the mud and how much the reds tight 5 enjoys a scrum every 2 minutes.

    Either way the result goes, a great end to a great season of super rugby.

    • Lance Free

      Weather forecast for Saturday is for fine weather min 6C – max 20C

      • bill

        Either way way a great result. I agree. But if it pisses down it down it doesn’t necessarily shade to the cru. Shit weather ought to favour the attacker, the less predictable the better, so long as it works and if it’s normal practice…who does that describe? I can’t comment on the cru, don’t watch ‘em enough. But no side beats Qld at handling.

        It’s not inconceviable,*f*ing princess bride*, *F*ck*! that either side puts 50 on the other but it would be an unlikely result. F*ck I hate saying things like that. Go you good things.

  • Cheezel

    Reds have won the last 2 Super rugby games against the Crusaders at Suncorp. They’ll be more than ready and feeling confident.

  • RedsHappy

    Lance, you may forget the field of dreams, the place where acts of will, creativity, passion and talent can suddenly alter all rational and prior calculations, and ‘the great upset’ occurs where none was ever expected.

    It is in the very grandeur of sport; it is, underneath the chatter, one of the unstated reasons we all love it, and come back to it.

    Exceptional things in this great land often happen, and we rightly marvel at them as our eyes moisten. Would Don Bradman ever have relented: I’ll never triumph over the ‘proven’ English bowlers. As a nation, we have never been scared of battling the ‘superior’ status quo, the current champions. That’s what we do, what we have always done since we cleared the big gums, and made ourselves a playing field with maybe a few rough white lines in the long grass.

    Go you Reds. Go to a place where you have never been before, but of which your dreams from childhood to July 9, 2011 have been made. If you have the talent and the burning will, what can be imagined, can be done.

    • Lance Free

      How often does ‘the great upset’ actually happen?

      • BDA

        In 2011 alone, I’d say there was a big upset just about every round of the Super 15

      • RedsHappy

        Quite often. I would argue: England vs Australia, RWC 2007, as I recall it no one seriously thought the England of 2007 could or would massacre Australia up front, and then go right to the Final. And ABs v Australia, RWC 2003, IIRC where Australia was considered much longer odds to unseat the ABs in that game than the Reds are v Cru on Saturday. At that time, it was considered that the ABs were an excellent team heading for the Final whilst Australia was considered as a relatively disappointing team playing inconsistently and that would not make the Final. Cricket: Ashes 2005, it was considered that England may do better than historically, but that Australia (the constant Cru-like Test cricket conquerors) would easily knock over England (again), the opposite happened. India Tests, late 2004. Australia had never won a Test series there and, as before, were again not favoured to win and were long odds. Australia won the series convincingly, for the first time ever.

        • bill

          I don’t know, I’m an aussie, but I thought 2007 was 50/50. But then I thought Latham should have been picked ahead of Rogers. And more importantly I rated that Mike Catt. But what would I know?

    • Reds Fan 2011 (Waugh Despiser)

      I agree. Lance you mention the Crusaders have world class players through out their team….kind of reminds me of the most used cliche in sport. ” A champion team will always beat a team of champions”

      Let’s hope that rings true and kicks in on Saturday. I am confident it will as will the jet Lag.

      Yeah, there’s merit in what you say RF ’11. But the Cru have been a seriously champion team, albeit with that group of world class players. Like I said, the Reds are greater than the sum of its parts so it makes for an intriguing matchup. Jet lag will have an effect – just a matter of how much. Can’t wait for the game (and the G&GR ‘editorial meeting’ beforehand) – and I have tickets!
      Lance

  • Zeno

    ‘They’ve also the most capable backline general in the world…’

    Carter is not in Cooper’s class. This year alone Cooper has worked dozens of magic tricks that outshine anything in Carter’s career showreel.

    • RockyElboa

      Flashes of brilliance is one thing, consistent excellence is another. I would have Carter in my world 15 anyday over cooper. Maybe cooper will get there on day, but that day has not arrived

      • bill

        For Mine:

        Coopers first season at super rugby: what r u doing!? That schoolboy shit won’t work at s14 level. Kurtley’s better than you.
        2nd season: WTF?, he’s cut 90% of his mistakes and is underplaying his hand? Maybe he could be as good as W. Lewis in a different fashion.

        3rd season: Oh yeah.
        4th season: better than Wally. Same game controll. Infinitely better individual ability.

        • BloodRed

          You forgot first finals appearance: holy shit! No one else on the planet can do that stuff

        • Jay

          90% of his mistakes is being very generous.

          Quade’s the runaway leader in errors for the entire comp this year. Nearly twice as many as the next worst.

        • bill

          Yeah I’ll admit it’s heuristic dude, after all 70% of Quades successes are better than 100% of anyone else in the history of the game. Either code. No pressure.

        • Reds Fan 2011 (Waugh Despiser)

          Thanks for that stat Jay now back it up with some actual numbers.

      • Zeno

        The pants-wetting over Carter has been going on for years but I’ve never seen anybody make a convincing case for his supremacy with reference to things he’s actually done on the football field. He has fine qualities and abilities, for sure, and a cool head and vision and balance and all that. But what really happens when he has the ball in hand?

        He’s an old-fashioned distributor, not a creative play-maker. He knows when to move it wide or give it back to the forwards. He can run a practised play off a mid-field scrum. But mostly he sends his centres crashing into the line, or he kicks. That’s his repertoire.

        Fans of NZ rugby have been avoiding this topic for years: their backs are strong in only two areas: making ground in broken play, and scoring tries after the forwards have broken the defence down. They don’t have what we call an ‘attack’. It’s not their culture. Carter is perhaps the ultimate product of that culture: excellent within a limited functionality.

        Quade Cooper operates on a completely different level. He’s playing unlimited attacking rugby.

        • Jay
        • bill

          I don’t want to get into comparing players, but it’d be crazy not to rate Quade as ur best attacking 5/8 of the last 30 years at least. Sorry, but what else is ur 5/8 supposed to do.

        • Jay

          I do rate Cooper as a better attacking 10. But I rate Carter as a better overall player (based on superior kicking, game control & defence).

          Quade is something of a flawed genius at present, whereas Carter is probably the most complete 10 in the history of the game.

        • bill

          :) Jay, Carter is a very smooth operator and a great quiet achiever. He’ll bleed you dry before you know you’re dead. And it’s easy to overlook him, but to call him the most complete player is just…. I didn’t know they stacked shit that high!

          (had to use theFMJ reference, I don’t think your viewpoint is a crock).

          The thing you have to understand about Cooper is he will make mistakes. It’s part of the process. He does a great job learning from them and not being afraid of them. Because he is playing rugby from another planet in comparison to Carter. Carter isn’t even aware there are other planets, he still thinks the world is flat!

          Carter isn’t even the best NZ 5/8 imo.

        • Jay

          Re: the most complete player.

          What is Dan Carter’s weakness? More so than any other 10 in history, he simply doesn’t have much in the way of weak areas. There are players who’ve been stronger in areas, but he’s the complete package.

        • bill

          :) Jay that’s kind of like the ontological argument for the existence of god. It DOESN’T WORK.

          Just because he doesn’t have a weakness means f*kall. The question is what are his strengths. I can understand how that may be an uncomfortable environment if you’re comparing the two.

        • Jay

          Well, his strengths are that he’s very good at pretty much everything you need from a 10. Name something he’s bad at.

          Goal kicking? Yeah, he’s very good at that. Line breaking? Yep, he can break the line with a fend or a step and is good in traffic. Defence? Yep. Support play? Yep. Tactical kicking? Yep. Game control? Yep.

          He’s good at everything and bad at nothing – that’s the point. He’s not the best ever at everything – Cooper has a better step and passing, Steyn is a better goal kicker, but he doesn’t have any of the weaknesses that those guys have either (eg, Quade’s poor goal kicking and defence, Steyn’s lack of a running game). The worst element of Dan Carter’s game is still bloody good.

        • Mark M

          Cooper hasnt excelled at test level yet where hes been found wanting on defence.
          He also makes to many mistakes .
          Hes a talented player no doubt but you cant rate a player who needs nursing on defence and goes missing under pressure.
          Carter is rated world No 1 by most of the worlds media for good reason.
          none of the above faults apply to him

        • Zeno

          Thanks for the YouTube links, Jay. Those examples underline what I’m saying: you just don’t see the players outside Carter getting the payoff for his supposed brilliance as a five-eighth.

          DC himself is fast and strong, has really good vision in broken play, can shrug off tacklers who go too high, and has a knack for approaching two defenders and then accelerating straight between them. His passes are timed sweetly and he seems to be cool and balanced in everything he does.

          Those qualities are what you would expect of an international inside back. They don’t warrant the superlatives that are thrown at Carter. To be as good as his boosters say he’d need to show a far greater to capacity to launch an attack out of nothing, to send his runners into spaces that nobody else could see, to create opportunities, deceive and manipulate defenders, to pull off tightrope tricks and improbable escapes.

          That is to say, he’d have to be more like Quade Cooper.

    • kiwi_rugby_fan

      has cooper ever had a series like carter v the lions???

  • Jon

    Good article, but I wouldn’t call their pack “near-test match quality”. It is test match quality. They’re all All Blacks, with regular starters 3,4,5(?),7,8. The rest have been capped and are in very good form at the moment.
    Let’s see if Cooper can pull some tricks out of his hat, otherwise it’s going to be pretty difficult.

  • http://anzacbloggersunite.blog.co.uk peter petterson

    Won’t disagree with you at all. They will wear them (Reds) down in the forwards, establish a significant lead, and pullaway in the last ten minutes.

    Such is the effect that Lord Richie and Crusaders have on people, I have not seen such compliments from an Aussie in aeons. Just a pity that some kiwis who live in OZ, don’t receive the same compliments.

    • brisvegas54

      They would if they actually contrubuted anything… At least Richie and the crus, provide quality entertainment and then f#ck off back over the ditch after the weekend.

      • Reds Fan 2011 (Waugh Despiser)

        Gold Brisvegas. Gold.

        They also dont stay for 30 years in Oz and still go for a team they have lived less years in. They also don’t put Kiwi stickers, Siver ferns etc all over their fully sick cars while they live in another country and bleat how go their ‘homeland’ is.

        Seriously if they love NZ so much these people why don’t they fck off back across the ditch and support them there. Who knows they may get more than 12,000 to a game then.

        • Barbara Pleace

          There are as many Aussies who have gone to New Zealand and loved it Have you been there maybe you should take a trip and appreciate the hospitality of the poeple

      • Jay

        Quade Cooper
        Digby Ioane
        Mike Harris

        Enough of a contribution?

  • Roland

    Don’t think reds have been favourites to win a single game all year from any one on this site. Doesn’t faze me anymore. People stick with what they understand. Tried and tested teams. They fear the unknown. How anyone can write off the minor premiers at home at close to full strength against a team who lost to the lions who hav travelled to the moon and back in the last 2 weeks.

    • D.

      I can’t wait for this to get slapped back in everyones faces come Saturday. This Reds side is an amazing team with quality players that have stood up to almost every team. The BEST win loss ratio in the comp. Especially against the teams that so called “mattered”. If you think this team of young me are going to show up to Suncorp this Saturday and roll over like puppy dogs, then THINK AGAIN.

      People need to turn into believers as this Reds side is predominantly the Wallabies and if they can’t beat a Super team then we may as well save the embarrassment and not go to the WC.

      Fuck McCheat and his Sader bitches! This is Queensland’s time to shine.

      Go the Reds!!!!!!

    • bill

      Think I can put my hand up here. But I’d agree the Reds have been, and continue to be, under*f*ing rated.

      It’s all about now.

      • bill

        That is, I have picked the Reds to win… ok, it wasn’t that hard to spot.

  • redbull

    Is that a Bonneville or an America?

    My silver Bonnie 2008, last of the carbies, still in storage in brothers garage…..snifff

    • Lance Free

      Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster 2008. Only has 3500kms on the clock. The previous owner only took it out on weekends. Mint condition. Those twin carbs are music to my ears. Yeah baby!!!!

  • redbull

    ohhh, yeah, the game….who cares who wins, it will be a great game between the two teams most likely to sell the product to casual observers.

  • D.

    Show me where SBW has been “world class”. He got fucking OWNED by the Reds last time they played. It was Sonny who? He’s okay, not World Class, yet.

    • Tyrone

      Show you where SBW has been world class? Have you ever heard of youtube? Against the Reds, Pretty hard to “shine” with split finger webbing.

      • D.

        I didn’t say he wasn’t a good player. He’s not world class (again….) yet. He came from mungo ball and has played 2 seasons. He’s on his way to being world class. Split fingered webbing or not, it was not a world class performance appearance against the Reds the last time they played. He was shut down!!!!!! That’s not just finger, that’s also Link and the rest of the team. I’d personally be more worried about Carter & Gilford than SBW. “World Class Players” are players that stand out EVERY match. Carter, Cooper, Lynah, Horan, Campese, Zinzan Brooke, Larkham to name a few. These guys were game changers ALL ie. Larkham charging down a penalty against the Lions when the Wallabies looked like they didn’t show up to play. That effort was like a light switch that turned them on and brought them back for a win. Shit like that is what I’m talking about. SBW hasn’t had the time in Rugby to deserve that title nor has he showed it.(once again….YET). I’m calling a spade a spade.

        • bill

          D. Do you even realise Kieran Reid is the nearest thing to the 2ndcoming of Mark Connors.

        • D.

          And what does that have to do with SBW? Let me put it this way. If you have to decide if you are going to play Nonu or SBW at inside center, he is not world class. My definition of world class is superstar legend world xv, not a starter/bench international selection.

        • bill

          How is either Nonu or SBW not WC. FYI Mark Connors, u might have heard of him, he played a 130 games for Qld.

        • bill

          Good luck on that definition of world class, my guess, it’ll last 15 mins at the outside.

      • Jay

        While I’m not getting into the debate as to whether SBW is or isn’t World Class, just cause a guy might not start (or start in his favoured position) doesn’t mean he’s not a World Class player IMO.

        Look at the AB’s in the late 90′s when they had to try and include Lomu, Wilson, Cullen & Umaga. All 4 of those guys were World Class players, I’d say – but 3 into 4 doesn’t go. And unfortunately Cullen wasn’t a World Class centre.

    • bill

      SBW is far from okay. Better start using butt plugs on a regular basis, whether u think SBW, M’a Nonu, Fiangaa, Carter or De Villiers are just ok, because each will fuck u up in their own way.

      • Steve

        Agreed, I love how in order to try and make their own favorite sound good so many feel the need to put down other players.
        SBW has some awesome skills and brings something new to Rugby Back line play.
        But that doesn’t mean Fiangaa is a crap footballer, I don’t think I would want to square up against him, (might make me look just a little silly)
        The whole Carter – Cooper debate cracks me up, they are different players with different skills playing for teams that play the game with different styles. Coopers step and fend are bliss to watch, but Carter distribution and field awareness are freakish. He also has to players more than capable of creating out side of him so his skills are better employed creating time and space for them.
        This is what is going to make this game such a cracker as each team (possibly other than the front row) have match ups of contrasting styles right across the park,
        McCaw – Robinson
        Read – Samo
        Thorn – Horwill
        Carter – Cooper
        Fruen – Faainga
        Maitland – Ioanne

        • bill

          :) Well.. I know you’re not talking to me because I rate ‘em all, for different strengths maybe.

          As for guys getting ‘owned’ on the basis of a game or two. Grow up or get used to being dissapointed.

        • D.

          McCaw – Robinson
          Read – Samo
          Thorn – Horwill
          Carter – Cooper
          Fruen – Faainga
          Maitland – Ioanne

          SBW???????

        • Reds Fan 2011 (Waugh Despiser)

          I agree Carter has a better general & place kicking game and better analysis of where a game is at over Cooper. But his distribution and field awareness THIS YEAR(only) has not been anywhere near as good as Quades. QC’s passing has been highly accurate to the mm where Dans has been patchy in current games and the way QC reads the defence no one in the game has that ability. QC takes the ball to line better than Dan as well. Put the shoe on the other foot imagine what QC would have done with the centres that the Crusaders have got. A hell of a lot more than Carter has this year. Carter will always be known as one of the bests in the game but in reality this year hasn’t been his best. BUT there is one game to go to prove that all wrong.

        • Roland

          He’s not dangerous enough to get a mnetion buddy.

        • Tyrone

          SBW – Lucas…
          One of these is not like the other, hmmmm.
          Zac Guildford was suprisingly left out of that list, he is a real threat.

        • bill

          @Tyrone. Lucas is injured. Agree re Guildford. Am expecting a black jersey for him.

        • Steve

          I left SBW out as I was trying to highlight some of the close but contrasting styles in the matchups for the game, SBW is in a different class to Ben Tapuai, not that he is a bad player just not test level yet.
          The other Match ups I didn’t mention because there is no contest are
          Rob Simmons, – Sam Whitelock, Whitelock any day
          Greg Holmes, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley – Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett The three Cursaders boys are in a whole different school more or less class
          Scott Higginbotham – George Whitelock Although underrated Whitelock is no Higgenbotham, however his style does suit the Crusaders game plan.

  • Redstradamus

    The Reds are a young team on the way up! After the disappointment of last season’s Bledisloe Cup in Sydney, Messrs Cooper & Genia have grown in skill to lead their teams to successive victories over those which contain Messrs Carter & McCaw.
    On Saturday night the Cooper & Genia show will go to a new level and secure their first, but not only, victory over Messrs Carter & McCaw in a final in 2011….

    Go the Reds!

    • kiwi_rugby_fan

      the cru are a young team too. ave age of 26

  • redssuper15champs2011

    Is any one Going to make a report that when Australia Play Samoa that Digby ioanes uncle will be playing against him for the opposition. I have been checking reports to see if any journos have reported this but no one has yet

    So here ill give you all the information and you guys write the article

    Australia Vs Samoa
    Nephew vs Cousin
    Digby Ioane Vs Ole Avei
    Two Victorian bred rugby players
    Both played Junior rugby for Endeavor Hills RUFC
    Both Played for the Reds
    Ole was part of a victorian U16 team who come runners up at the Austalian Natipnal championships ( I doubt that will ever happen again in a long time)
    Both were given scholarships to play for the Douth Poert School in Brisbane.
    That is where they made it to the professional stage

    Thier you go write it

    • Lance Free

      Good call. However, the uncle/nephew thing is old news although I wasn’t aware Ovei was in the Samoan squad. BTW, Diggers went to Gregory Terrace.

  • Sambobly

    Reds by 15. You watch

  • Patrick

    I think Lance’s points are all valid, but as against them… the Reds are also in form and must have great self-belief by now, including back-to-back home wins against the ‘saders.

    And that’s the rub…this is at home. I don’t think even the Crusaders can pull off two away finals wins on the trot against such tough opposition as have and will face. They looked the absolute bee’s knees for sure this last two weeks but they also managed to mentally crush both teams from the get-go. Fair enough given both team’s memories of being mangled by under-strength Crusader teams during the year. Also both the Sharks and Stormers had just played monster matches the week before whilst the Saders had almost rested (in part, certainly, credit to how awesome they are).

    The Reds will have none of the baggage of either South African team, will be rested enough and on a real roll…right up to rolling these c**** too.

    Patrick – the thing about the Crusaders is that home and away now means nothing to them – it’s one and the same. i think playing at home is very advantageous for the Reds and the bye will be helpful. Lets hope their adventure, ‘joie de vivre’ and new found composure gets them over the line.
    Lance

    • Ooaahh

      The stormers actually had a bye before playing the cru at home.

      • bill

        That impressed me lot. I was expecting the cru to beat them( I have a giant cranium), but not by that margin. Well done, you giant red and black telly tubbies!

  • http://anzacbloggersunite.blog.co.uk peter petterson

    WE will know in a few days! Carter is not in Cooper’s class? How effing stupid is that? Cooper is a talented but inexperienced player. May be great one day. Dan Carter is one of the best all round first fives ever!! Apart from his defence, people have actually forgotten how good a kicker and goal-kicker Merts was!

    • bill

      I’ve seen a lot of 5/8′s, and Cooper is far from inexperienced, maybe he’s just arrived, maybe he was born here. I don’t know, ask Russell Fairfax.

      • bill

        I know I’m gonna regret it, but just what does Mehrts have to do with current proceedings?

      • Jay

        Now, now – we all know he wasn’t born there……

        (yes, I know what you meant – just going for the obvious retort).

  • BloodRed

    Bit pessimistic if you ask me. Alot gets made of the teams histories in finals and the crusaders 7 titles but how many of the team actually have 7 titles (none)? Recent history is far more favourable to the Reds. They’ve won their last 2 outings against the Cru’s and even prior to that seemed to have a knack for troubling the red and blacks in the regular season in a way that few other teams have, even prompting Robbie Deans in his last season as their coach to give a nod to lady luck and predict that the Reds would be a chance to cause a few upsets.

    I would give the Reds the edge in creativity, play at the breakdown, defense and lineout (if the throwing is up to scratch). Crusaders definite edge at scrum and goal kicking but don’t think that will be enough.
    Reds by 10-15

    • bill

      I’d agree with ur last para re creativity, but the stuff about previous results matter not at all. Who’s on on the night. Both these teams can make a nonsense of that.

      • BloodRed

        That’s exactly my point about the Crusaders “superior” history, it hasn’t counted for anything the last couple of times these teams have played so as far as I’m concerned it is anyone’s game. Bring on Saturday!

    • Steve

      The only difference the previous titles makes is experience to the occasion, and not getting over awed by it.
      Sometimes a theory is you have to lose a final to win one, I don’t subscribe to that and Reds have a very capable coach who can guide them through this weeks excitement and expectation. But you have to make sure you don’t play the final before the kick off.
      The same goes for the younger Crusaders as well, that is where guys like Brad Thorn are invaluable. He notably had a quiet word to Zac Guildord this week guiding him through the experience.
      It is Richies 7th and Carters 6 Final 5 and 4 titles respectively. It doesn’t mean they are going to win but it does help.

      Well put Steve – that’s it in a nutshell. Lance

  • RuggaTim

    I think the reds may even try and beat the crusaders at their own game (ie their game against the stormers round 8 ): Plenty of defensive pressure and smart kicking options from quade and genia to force the saders to play from their own half. Still need to take their attaking opportunities when they come but maybe turn the tables a little bit and try and ‘choke’ the crusaders out of the game. Hopefully we’ll see more magic on the counter attack from Quade too. Scrum and lineouts still a worry though..

    • bill

      By and large the Reds’ is the Cru’ game. Reds’ just, apologies to Cru fans, tend to play more first phase attack and more positive ‘ball.

  • Muffy

    MAD MAD MAD!!!…..Been trying to get tickets since 9:00am…sold out…I have to say Ticketek is the most frustrating site!! Could punch FCK out of something!!!

    Oh well…Beer and BBQ at my place…

    You’re not alone Muffy – reportedly sold out at 9.45am I think? Lance

    • D.

      Could be worse mate. No telly coverage would suck arse!!!

      • bill

        I hope the sold out status is real. But there was apparently a glitch at tickettek falsely reporting a sellout.

        • bill

          Tickettek glitch is fixed. Enjoy your seats u lucky c*nts. I was their when the brumbs stuffed us so YELL THE HOUSE DOWN YOU …..S. I mean you could recite w.b Yeats to each other or you could give a shit.

    • Reds Fan 2011 (Waugh Despiser)

      Boys I heard with the Blues Semi that Ticketek in fact fucked up and were telling people the game was a sellout when they had 4 or 5 thousand seats left.

      Muffy I also can guarentee you that if you stay glued to the ticketek website in the next day or so there will be another release of seats. Also if you call them tomorrow they normally have seats with something obstructing the view. Mate we bought these to an origin years ago and they were great seats it was just a handrail that if you lifted your head up an inch you ahd no drama.s

      • bill

        Keep on it people, those leaguies may have not have got not any slimmer, could have drifted up each other’s ….oohh.

      • muffy

        Thanks Redsfan, I will log on at 8:59am tomorrow…..wish me luck…

  • The Battered Slav

    The Reds forwards will have to be absolutely on fire to allow the reds enough clean bal with which to attack.

    While I’d love to have Sambobly’s confidence, I can’t see the Reds by 15, but that’s not to say I can’t see the Reds winning.

    Carn Reds, Let’s roll these c***s!!!!!

    • bill

      F*k I can remember being at Ballymore n hearing the crowd yell on a bad call ‘the ref’s a dickhead’. It’d be even better if the crowd did the ‘roll these c*nts’ line.

  • Pedro

    I find this article very pessimistic. Reds are minor premiers and beat the saders last time they played them. Sure the saders could win, they’re a quality side but they’re the second best side this year.

    It’s not going to matter how many test players either team has or who has won the title before.

    Reds will win, saders are good but reds have proved better all season.

    It’s only pessimistic if you’re a Reds’ fan Pedro? Should be a cracker of a game between two quality sides – both possessing different strengths. Hopefully a great advetisement for rugby. I think the Crusaders will be too strong but ‘Go the Reds!’
    Lance

    • Pedro

      I guess I would say wrong instead of pessimistic then. I’m not a reds fan either I just think they’ve proven that they’re the best team this season.

      Furthermore, comparing a rugby teams form with a

    • Pedro

      … motor bike from antiquity hardly seems like a compliment. Also you should have said firing on both cylinders.

      But it’s a Speedmaster 2008 model and hasn’t it got some serious grunt? BTW didn’t the Crusaders win the 2008 Super 14?

    • Pedro

      So I guess both the Crusader’s and your motorbike’s reputation are now on the line. Game on.

      I’d back my judgment in all things mechanical and rugby related up to a point; however, I’m not Nostradamus nor the Messiah!!!! Just a naughty, opinionated little boy….

      LF

    • Pedro

      So I guess both the crusader’s and your mototbike’s reputation are now on the line. Game on.

  • Pedro

    I find this article very pessimistic. Reds are minor premiers and beat the saders last time they played them. Sure the saders could win, they’re a quality side but they’re the second best side this year.

    It’s not going to matter how many test players either team has or who has won the title before.

    Reds will win, saders are good but reds have proved better all season.

  • bill

    :) I’m not pessimistic u c… We’ll win. F*k those cru. Snakka du om familiamen! Pupina dina r fina Ritchie. Can you even imagine the amount of teeth gnashing bullshit that would go on in the shaky isles? Every wannabe Dr Phil would be rockin’ up there. You’d have to put a carbon tax on their shiny little heads!

  • Jimbo81

    Agree – Reds by 15. Kiwi’s aren;t what they used to be (by a LONG way!) and the Reds / Wallabies know 2011 is their year.

  • Garry

    From experience, the Reds (/Australia) are at their most dangerous when told that they can’t over come it, and there are plenty of us in the forum that feel that they can’t do it this weekend.

    What we need is a prominent Kiwi to come out and write off the Reds chances.

    Jamie Joseph, where are you when we need you?

  • misplaced canuck

    the reds will win if they show discipline and patience at the breakdown otherwise Carters boot will eat away at the effort the Reds put in getting the ball over the white line.

    Reds by 12 (with discipline)

    Cru by 10 (without)

  • Robson

    I’m not a prominent Kiwi or Jamie Joseph, but the bad news is that the Crusaders will take the final out by 20 points or more.

    However, now the bad news is out of the way here is the good news.

    There is a fair chance this won’t happen providing the Reds can minimise the damage over the first sixty minutes and inflict some damage of their own. The Crusaders will definitely be good to go for sixty minutes and travel fatigue won’t be a factor. But with twenty to go the Crusaders will need to put most of their bench on the park because by that time travel fatigue will be a factor. So it could come down to bench players versus bench players.

    Apart from that four things need to happen for the Reds to win on Saturday night.

    Firstly Quade needs to get his kicking technique right. In my view that amounts to doing nothing more nor less than getting his left arm up high and over his right shoulder as he addresses the ball; providing a much more oblique shoulder angle to the ball. When he was applying this acute stance to his body as he addressed the ball, his kicks were flying straight and true. This year he has allowed his left arm to drop and as a consequence his kicks are now fading right to left.

    Secondly the Reds need to attack the tackle ball like angry bees and shut the Crusaders out of the hunt for a counter ruck win on Reds ball. The Stormers looked lethargic on the tackle ball last Sunday and it did make the Crusaders look omnipotent in that department. The Reds MUST put many more phases together on Saturday than they did against the Blues. And they need to do it for the full eighty.

    Thirdly Genia should forget about the box kick and step up the pace of delivery from ruck base to backline. His box kicks last Saturday were awful. He has to keep the game moving at pace, which is the very thing the Stormers didn’t do either. Playing the game at pace is playing the Crusaders at their own game. They prefer teams to play strategically and give them the ball back all the time. Trying to play it tactically is playing right into their hands.

    And finally there is no room for minor inaccuracies especially at lineout time. Saia must throw straight and on target EVERY time. All the chances given need to be taken because there may not be too many of them on offer.

    It should be a memorable contest but I give the Reds a bit more than a slim chance of pulling it off; despite my opening comment.

  • Hawko

    One thing not mentioned a lot is that this will be Link’s third final against the Crusaders. He lost the first one on the back of an overly conservative gameplan, when it was only when all was lost that his team started to run the ball. He lost the second one on the back of two significant injuries – to Vickerman early and then to Kurtley just as he was getting on top. But the second one was also a conservative gameplan but certainly more open than the first.

    Arguably this Crusaders team is a better pack but a weaker backline than both of those teams, though the differences are not great. I think this time we will see Link implement a gameplan that is more adventurous than the two previous ones, because he will not want to make the same mistake again. I am expecting the forwards to concentrate on defensive duties and holding the Crusaders in the scrum and lineout, while seeking quick ball to unleash the backs from everywhere especially broken play. Doing a Crusaders on the Crusaders. Whether it works with a popgun scrum is yet to be seen. I would run on with Hanson and keep Faingaa in reserve, but that’s just me. I like a front row that can scrummage first and then run around second.

    • Robson

      So do I. Old props habits die hard.

    • redbull

      I think I would prefer a hooker who can hit the jumper.

    • redbull

      But I like your take on the McKenzie v Crusaders view of the match. Will Link prove his genius once and for all this weekend?

      • Garry

        @Robson,

        Link’s also in your Old Props Club

        • Robson

          He is and in his day one of the best tightheads around. Perhaps at that time THE best. He and Tony Daly formed a very formidable Wallaby front row with Phil Kearns. I don’t think there has been one quite like it since.

  • phantom65

    Guys,

    Some quality comments. I’m writing this from the Old Dart and, dead-set, it’s hard to read anything like the quality of the banter, but balanced by deep,real-rugby Q (yeah an intentional capital Q)..uality to the comments. OK enough pissing in your pockets…

    This is an Australian web-site. It is simply Un-Australian to be anything other than positive and have-a-go, so to all those above who may be using their heads to pick the Cru… think again, THINK A-F*GAIN! Australians don’t dwell on the rational, we guzzle at the well of Hope. Confession at this point is in order: I’m a Waratah. Thing is, at this point in the season: it doesn’t matter!!!! During the season, Hell, I’ve admired Pocock, Sharpie, JOC, Stirlo (for playing when he’s my age), Kurtley, even Gits (when he wasn’t crabbing – loved the “I’m the f’ing Captain” to hooker Moore) etc etc, but we’re ALL Reds now.

    Get on the program: Link and his young-guns are the Fairy-tale. These Cru have won it 7 times already… I can’t believe you guys are going to suck up the Earthquake thing – boys it’s like those UFO photos, maybe its true, maybe it isn’t – let’s not gift them #1 Fairy-tale status. I reckon its a stunt – a Powerful Stunt I’ll grant you (capital P and S out of deep respect to my fellow ANZACs )- but let’s verify the accuracy of the claim that they’ve had a wobble over there after the weekend… for now let’s focus on the Qld fairytale. There’s no doubt about that one – check out the S15 – 13 tables. These guys were Losers (yeah, capital L) for about 10 years in a row. Then they start playing a brand of footy that is dead-set Bewdiful. If there is a God of Rugby, He is definitely wearing Red this weekend.

    Let’s get rrrreaaaddyy to rrrummmmble….C’mon you Aussies out there, give me your Thumbs Up, let’s make it the biggest GAGR Thumbs-Up EVER on the eve of an almighty Victory to the RRRRRRRRRRReeeeeedddsss…

    • Steve

      Phantom you are a complete f – wit that little wobble killed 188 people and has meant that almost the entire CBD of Chch has to be demolished. People have lost homes, jobs and most of all friends think before you write stupid comments like that. A game of Rugby is insignificant compared to the suffering some of my friends and family are going through.

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