Super Rugby Final: Crusaders v Chiefs

[waiopehu oldboy]

19:05 NZT Saturday 21/06

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

I think these guys qualify as superfans...

 

[Ignoto]

Part of me wants the Crusaders to win in the hope that maybe finally the brain dead bosses at NZRU will realise Super Rugby is broken with the Crusaders winning yet another title and just maybe they would work with RA to make something better to stop the evil empire winning again.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

"The Chiefs have received a big boost for Saturday night’s Super Rugby Pacific final against the Crusaders in Christchurch, with star fullback Shaun Stevenson cleared to play after passing concussion tests."

The Waikato Times

www.waikatotimes.co.nz

Cortez Ratima also passed his follow-up HIAs & will be available.

 

[Dan54]

I looking forward to this as a neutral. I genuinely think it easier to enjoy these battles when you don't mind who wins.
I understand some wanting Crusaders to lose because they win so often, but like when the Aucks won everything in the late 80s etc, it just great to see how teams try and get the win against these teams.

 

[Wilson]

For all the talk of "no jeopardy for the Chiefs" in their QF against the Blues, I think they'll absolutely be regretting having let that impact their play at all. It may have taken an extra week for it to be felt, but having to play this game away is a pretty big challenge to now overcome.

 

[Tomikin]

I looking forward to this as a neutral. I genuinely think it easier to enjoy these battles when you don't mind who wins.
I understand some wanting Crusaders to lose because they win so often, but like when the Aucks won everything in the late 80s etc, it just great to see how teams try and get the win against these teams.

I kinda agree, but is there a way they can both lose lol

 

[Dan54]

Not sure Tom, perhaps a real study of the comp rules is needed.

 

[Wilson]

Angus Gardner to ref, Damon 'Cuts in line for a coffee' Murphy and Matt Kellahan on the sidelines. Brett Cronan TMO.

Angus Gardner to referee 2025 Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final

super.rugby

 

[Tomikin]

rightfully so, him and Berry been easily the best all year, could you image Dolman getting a GF

 

[Wilson]

I thought that's what you were doing when you went looking for a way that both teams could lose.

 

[Tomikin]

oh actually fuck the Kiwis the final should have Doleman Williams and Murphy.. Jaco Peyper can be the TMO.

 

[drewprint]

rightfully so, him and Berry been easily the best all year, could you image Dolman getting a GF

No one can tolerate Doleman so no I can't imagine him getting a girlfriend.

 

[Dan54]

Not surprised Gardner and co got final, Gardner has been reffing here a lot this year, same as kiwi refs doing Aus game. Like it or not I think it's being done because of whinging that refs are biased etc.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Team lists per super.rugby:

CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan

Replacements: George Bell, George Bower, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Cullen Grace, Kyle Preston, James O'Connor, Dallas McLeod

CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson

Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Aidan Ross, Reuben O'Neill, Jimmy Tupou, Kalyum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Etene Nanai-Seturo

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Injury lists per rugby.com.au (super.rugby seems to have crashed):

Chiefs
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi - Shoulder, TBC
Josh Lord - Concussion, TBC
Liam Coombes-Fabling - Hamstring, Short-term
Anton Lienert Brown - Collarbone, Short-term
Malachi Wrampling - Hamstring, Mid-term
Simon Parker - Ankle, Mid-term
Sione Ahio - Ankle, Long-term
Rameka Poihipi - Knee, Season

Crusaders
Chay Fihaki - Concussion, TBC
Finlay Brewis - Shoulder, season
Taha Kemara - Knee, season
Dom Gardiner - Foot, season

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Read during G&GR's holiday that when Blackadder got called off for an HIA v Blues it was actually ScoBar's smart mouthguard that had been triggered. Hopefully they get that right this week, we can't have a healthy player being taken off & a potentially injured one left out there.

 

[Dan54]

Crusaders will be happy having Williams back. Must admit I pleased to see him there, I like these matches to have the important players out there.

 

[Ignoto]

“We have made the decision to ban cowbells at Apollo Projects Stadium for the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final between the Crusaders and the Chiefs to ensure all fans are able to come to the Stadium on Saturday night and enjoy a great game of rugby where everyone is safe," Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge said in a statement.

'Melt them at the gate': Cowbells banned for Chiefs-Crusaders final

Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge said the ban was due to spectator safety, noting the "tight" confines at Apollo Projects Stadium.

www.1news.co.nz

Why are they concerned with spectator safety, no-one from Christchurch goes to the games because "it's toooooooo cold".

Bunch of sooks.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

All 17K tix have been sold. In theory there's room for ~600 more at the open end of the ground but the cost of putting them up & pulling them down exceeds the revenue they'd generate.

Fun fact: CruSadists won more games at their "temporary" home than they played at Lancaster Park.