Crusaders vs Chiefs: MATCH THREAD: Napier - 2011R14

[Ali's Choice]

Where:
Napier, New Zealand

Venue:
McLean Park, Napier

When:
7.35pm NZT (5.35pm AEST) Saturday, May 21

Head to Head:
Played 16 - Crusaders 12 wins, Chiefs 4 wins

Referee:
Stuart Dickinson

Teams:


Crusaders
Coach: Todd Blackadder

15. Tom Marshall
14. Brent Ward
13. Robbie Fruean
12. Ryan Crotty
11. Zac Guildford
10. Dan Carter
9. Willi Heinz

8. Kieran Read
7. Richie McCaw (capt)
6. George Whitelock
5. Chris Jack
4. Luke Romano
3. Ben Franks
2. Corey Flynn
1. Wyatt Crockett

Reserves:

16. Quentin MacDonald
17. Owen Franks
18. Brad Thorn
19. Joe Wheeler
20. Steve Alfeld
21. Mat Berquist
22. Tu Umaga-Marshall.


Chiefs
Coach: Ian Foster

15. Mils Muliaina (capt)
14. Tim Nanai-Williams
13. Richard Kahui
12. Dwayne Sweeney
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
10. Stephen Donald
9. Brendon Leonard

8. Fritz Lee
7. Sam Cane
6. Liam Messam
5. Romana Graham
4. Craig Clarke
3. Ben Afeaki
2. Hika Elliot
1. Sona Taumalolo

Reserves:

16. Aled de Malmanche
17. Toby Smith
18. Culum Retallick
19. Taiasina Tuifua
20. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
21. Mike Delany
22. Jackson Willison.

 

[Ali's Choice]

There are so many factors making this match an absolute must-watch.

- Can the Crusaders overcome their travel back from the Republic? And how will their players handle getting back on a plane on Friday for a ‘home’ game in Napier?
- Can the Chiefs build on their good recent form, having started the season terribly?
- Who, if any, of the Crusaders injured stars will return, and how will this impact on the combinations that have developed within the squad? Is SBW playing after injuring his knee in Bloemfontein?
- Can Richie McCaw and Dan Carter build on last week’s performances?

The Crusaders were lucky to beat the Chiefs during their first encounter this season. And it could be argued that the Chiefs have improved markedly since then, whilst the Crusaders have gone backwards largely as a result of an appalling injury toll. The Chiefs will back themselves to match the Crusaders in all facets, especially given the fact that this will be like a home game for them.

Personally I am very worried about the potency of the Chiefs backline. Richard Kahui, Brendon Leonard and Sitiveni Sivivatu have found excellent form, and with Muliaina and Donald improving after returning from injury layoffs, their backline looks to have finally clicked. Most worrying for a Crusader fan is the improving Chiefs pack. Their set piece work was great last weekend, against an impressive Stormers pack. And with Adam Thomson injured, Liam Messam is clearly the form Kiwi loose forward in the comp. His work in the loose, and causing mischief at the breakdown, has been brilliant all season. Messam has always been a very talented player. But this season he's upped his work-rate and cut down his error rate. And this has transformed him from being just a good Super Rugby player, to an excellent one.

Particularly worrying for me is how fatigued the Crusaders team looked last weekend against the Cheetahs, especially in the forwards. I wonder if this horror season is finally starting to catch up with this team? Having to fly out of Christchurch every weekend, including making trips to London and South Africa, looks to be taking its toll on the players. Not making excuses, but this team clearly looks fatigued. And in recent years, the Chiefs have made a habit of ruining the finals aspirations of other NZ based teams.

 

[Ruggo]

My gut says the Chiefs.

 

[Ali's Choice]

My gut says the Chiefs.

Same, for the reasons stated in my previous post. As much as I want my Crusaders to win this game, I think their season of travelling has finally caught up with them. In saying that, the Crusaders still boast enough quality to beat any team, and the Chiefs have made a habit of looking very good one week, and poor the next.

 

[Ruggo]

Whether they burn out or not, The Crusaders this year are up there with the most inspirational rugby stories I have ever seen. They have my respect.

 

[Ali's Choice]

Very disappointed to read this afternoon that Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland and Adam Whitelock are all out for the season.

World Cup doubt over sidelined Israel Dagg
Dagg, Maitland, Whitelock out of Super Rugby
GREG FORD

All Black Israel Dagg's Crusaders season is over and injury has cast doubt over his place in the All Blacks' World Cup squad.

Dagg and fellow-Crusaders outside backs Sean Maitland and Adam Whitelock have all succumbed to serious and Super Rugby season-ending injuries.

The most critical is that suffered by Dagg, who pulled his quadricep muscle on May 8 against the Stormers. He returned home early and was operated on yesterday.

He is expected to be out of all rugby for three months, effectively ruling him out of the All Blacks' Tri-Nations tests and calling into doubt his readiness for selection in the World Cup squad.

A Crusaders spokesman said there was an outside chance he will be jogging again within 6-8 weeks although his damaged leg now needs a long and slow rehabilation.

Dagg had mostly been in sharp form until the injury but the quality of candidates among the All Blacks' back three means he may now struggle to force his way into coach Graham Henry's World Cup squad of 30.

Dagg, who missed the All Blacks' end-of-year tour last season with an injury to another part of his quadriceps after playing six tests in 2010, told Hawke's Bay Today he was optimistic of making a return to the field before the All Blacks selectors choose their rugby World Cup squad.

"Hopefully I can get a couple of games in for the Magpies and play my way into the World Cup.

"It's definitely not the time to be injured but if we do everything right with the rehab I could be back playing by the end of July.

"I'll just have to take each step of the rehab as it comes, get the strength back in the quad again and keep positive,'' Dagg said.

The immediate prognosis for Maitland was less clear, with the in-form winger having suffered a mid foot sprain.

While a time frame on his return was not yet available, the spokesman confirmed it is a long-term injury and he won't play for the Crusaders again this season.

It is the same outcome for Whitelock, who tore a pectoral muscle against the Stormers. It was confirmed today that his season has also come to a premature end.

The injury toll is also of grave concern to the national selectors as Dagg, and at a pinch Maitland, were in the reckoning for a position in Graham Henry's All Blacks Rugby World Cup squad.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/5014680/World-Cup-doubt-over-sidelined-Israel-Dagg

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I think it largely depends on how bad the Cru's injury toll is. If they can get 15 fit blokes out there and in their proper positions, they can win it. But that injury list is huge.

 

[Viking]

Israel Dag out, Its not a big lose if Mils or Cory Jane are fully fit. Toeva is pretty damn good too. They got some depth at fullback.

 

[Ali's Choice]

Israel Dag out, Its not a big lose if Mils or Cory Jane are fully fit. Toeva is pretty damn good too. They got some depth at fullback.

Not a big loss for the ABs. But given the context of this thread, losing Dagg is a massive loss for the Crusaders title hopes. Throw in losing Maitland and Whitelock, and today's injury news is absolutely terrible for Crusaders fans.

 

[meatsack]

Toeva is pretty damn good too.

Iceman is out for the rest of the Super season. So he'll need to get some runs in the NPC or June tests/tri nations to get back to speed.

Kahui delivered some big hits recently. If his shoulder holds I can see one of them turning the match to the Chiefs favor, especially with the Cru's travel this week.

 

[REDinCPT]

the crusaders will absolutely smash the cheifs. after 30mins and Brad Thorn hammering the the cheifs forwards, the crusanders loosies will run riot with mccaw back in his groove and there will be plenty of tries.

as far as i can see, travel hasn't had a huge impact this year.

 

[Reddy!]

I never like hearing about injuries but the this favours the Reds in a week and half time, and any injuries that are picked up in the NZ local derby, I'm sure it'll be hard fought. That said, the Crusaders time and time again bring quality youngsters through their system and I'm sure there is somebody else to step in who can play.

From what I know, McCaw and Carter were only coming back last match. Both of them back together at home will be even more significant. I think I'll tip the Crusaders.

 

[disco]

Big game for the Crusaders I didn't realise how serious those injuries against the Stormers were, Maitland was the leagues leading try scorer & Dagg was probably in career best form before the injury.

It will take a massive effort for the Crusaders to win the weekend I think it's fair for the Chiefs to go in as favourites.

 

[Ali's Choice]

the crusaders will absolutely smash the cheifs. after 30mins and Brad Thorn hammering the the cheifs forwards, the crusanders loosies will run riot with mccaw back in his groove and there will be plenty of tries.

as far as i can see, travel hasn't had a huge impact this year.

The Crusaders aren't robots. You can't jump on a plane every weekend to play the toughest non-test match rugby in the world, and expect the travel not to take its toll eventually. The Crusaders only arrived back in NZ this morning from South Africa, having been away from NZ for nearly a month. They are back on the road again in a couple of days, flying up to Napier Friday morning.

 

[REDinCPT]

The Crusaders aren't robots. You can't jump on a plane every weekend to play the toughest non-test match rugby in the world, and expect the travel not to take its toll eventually. The Crusaders only arrived back in NZ this morning from South Africa, having been away from NZ for nearly a month. They are back on the road again in a couple of days, flying up to Napier Friday morning.

the length of the tour is nothing more than what the south african teams must endure, altho most of them do play like robots...

 

[Ali's Choice]

Teams have been named.

SBW is out with injury, as is Matt Todd. This game just went from being a very difficult assignment for the Crusaders, to being nearly impossible.

Crusaders:

15. Tom Marshall
14. Brent Ward
13. Robbie Fruean
12. Ryan Crotty
11. Zac Guildford
10. Dan Carter
9. Willi Heinz

8. Kieran Read
7. Richie McCaw (capt)
6. George Whitelock
5. Chris Jack
4. Luke Romano
3. Ben Franks
2. Corey Flynn
1. Wyatt Crockett

Reserves:

16. Quentin MacDonald
17. Owen Franks
18. Brad Thorn
19. Joe Wheeler
20. Steve Alfeld
21. Mat Berquist
22. Tu Umaga-Marshall.

Chiefs:

15. Mils Muliaina (capt)
14. Tim Nanai-Williams
13. Richard Kahui
12. Dwayne Sweeney
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
10. Stephen Donald
9. Brendon Leonard

8. Fritz Lee
7. Sam Cane
6. Liam Messam
5. Romana Graham
4. Craig Clarke
3. Ben Afeaki
2. Hika Elliot
1. Sona Taumalolo

Reserves:

16. Aled de Malmanche
17. Toby Smith
18. Culum Retallick
19. Taiasina Tuifua
20. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
21. Mike Delany
22. Jackson Willison.

 

[Ali's Choice]

Two quick thoughts.

The Crusaders have had to replace the quickest winger in NZ (Sean Maitland) with the slowest (Brent Ward).

And that Chiefs pack is playing well, but looks like one which the Crusaders should be able to dominate.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

That Cru pack still looks very handy. If they can smash the Chiefs at the break down and the set pieces, they might just burgle this one.

 

[Ali's Choice]

That Cru pack still looks very handy. If they can smash the Chiefs at the break down and the set pieces, they might just burgle this one.

On paper they look handy. But last week they looked so fatigued against the Cheetahs that they could barely fire a shot. I'm not giving this result up just yet, but my head says the Chiefs by around 10 points.

 

[Scotty]

Not a big loss for the ABs. But given the context of this thread, losing Dagg is a massive loss for the Crusaders title hopes. Throw in losing Maitland and Whitelock, and today's injury news is absolutely terrible for Crusaders fans.

It is terrible news for rugby fans all over. Dagg and Maitland in particular have been fantastic to watch this year.