We start our Saturday morning with a cracker match between two of the top teams in the Super Rugby tournament so far, which I am sure most people would not have thought ten weeks ago, well not at least the Highlanders.
The Crusaders have some injury concerns and coach Todd Blackadder has made a few other changes in an attempt to keep his players fresh, so we are seeing a new team taking to the field, with no Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter or Sonny-Bill Williams. The team is led from the scrumhalf position by Andy Ellis in the absence of all the above names.
The Highlanders have their own concerns with Adam Thompson, their in form flanker who has scored four tries in the last few weeks, out for a few weeks through injury, but this should not influence the team too much as they continue their run of wins of late and will see the Crusaders as prime for the taking.
The Crusaders are a class team and it will be difficult for the Highlanders to beat them no matter how many injuries they have.
Team: 15. Israel Dagg, 14. Tom Marshall, 13. Robert Fruean, 12. Adam Whitelock, 11. Zac Guildford, 10. Matthew Berquist, 9. Andy Ellis (Captain), 8. Joe Wheeler, 7. Matt Todd, 6. George Whitelock, 5. Chris Jack, 4. Brad Thorn, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Quentin MacDonald, 1. Wyatt Crockett
Replacements: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Luke Romano, 19. Jonathan Poff, 20. Kahn Fotuali`i, 21. Sonny Bill Williams, 22. Sean Maitland
Highlanders: 1 . Jamie Mackintosh (C) , 2 .Mo Schwalger , 3 . Chris King , 4 . Tom Donnelly , 5 . Josh Bekhuis , 6 . Jarrad Hoeata , 7 . John Hardie , 8 . Nasi Manu , 9 . Aaron Smith , 10 .Tony Brown , 11. Siale Piutau , 12 . Ben Smith , 13 .Kendrick Lynn , 14 . James Paterson , 15 . Robbie Robinson
Reserves: 16. Jason Rutledge , 17. David Te Moana , 18. Nick Crosswell , 19. Tim Boys , 20. Sean Romans , 21. Matt Saunders , 22. Telusa Veainu
Crusaders should still be too strong, but I am expecting a good match.
I have the saders by 5
The nz confrence points are high they have 3 teams in the top 6… It would be better for the overall cause if sader loose and even their scores a bid
Hoping for a Highlanders win.
Morning All. I see Derick Alberts is in the SS studio today. Sigh
Saders by 8!
We have kickoff
Saders of with 3 points.
Saders 3
Landers 0
2 mins
Highlanders hit back with 3 points.
Saders 3
Landers 3
7 mins
I need good scores/tries for my FL in today’s games. I’m falling behind the leader a bit
Go Landers!!!
Will my dream come true?
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 10) : At least you’re only just a bit behind
Try Zac Guilford
Try converted.
Saders 10
Landers 3
16 mins
@KSA Shark © (Comment 12) : It’s getting close to 400 points, and no3 is right on my tail
@Ben (Comment 14) : And I suspect that margin will get bigger and bigger.
C’mon Landers.
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 15) : Hehehe I’d be happy with 400.
Try Highlanders. Siale Piutau
Conversion missed.
Saders 10
Landers 8
22 mins
@KSA Shark © (Comment 17) : 400 points per round aint bad, but I need more to get the no1 spot back
@KSA Shark © (Comment 16) : Maybe not, Highlanders are looking very competitive.
I though NZ teams don’t do drops.
DG from Matt Berquist.
Saders 13
Landers 8
24 mins
Andy Ellis injured and is off. Chris Jack has taken over the Captaincy
C’mon!!!
Thorne off injured as well. Softie.
@Ben (Comment 24) : That could help.
@McLovin (Comment 22) : Ah! The ‘drop’. I remember one. Zinzan Brooke
Great try! James Paterson
C’mon you dirty Highlanders!
@McLovin (Comment 26) : I’m starting to enjoy this game.
Berquist Next?
Try converted!
Saders 13
Landers 15
31 mins
I like
@McLovin (Comment 30) :
Maybe this time they’ll be cited for trying to derail the 2011 RWC plan.
wtf is with that band?
@McLovin (Comment 30) : You are going to catch a Marlin with that bait.
Maybe the Saders have to lose so NZ can have 3 teams in the play-offs
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 36) : Only three? They must be worried . . .
@Original Pierre (Comment 37) : They can only have 4 with 1 SA and 1 Aus team filling the other spots
Highlanders turning it on now! Crusaders who?
HALF TIME
Crusaders 13 – 15 Highlanders
I think we’ll see a few subs early in the 2nd half. SBW, Maitland and Flynn.
Todd Blackadder faced with an unusual situation right now. When last has he had to motivate his charges at halftime??!
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 41) : Think you might be right.
Yes!!
Try to the Highanders. James Paterson.
Great cross kick from Tony Brown!
Conversion missed
Saders 13
Landers 20
43 mins
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 41) : yip. As I said when they announced this team. Come 60min the subs will pull it through if they are trailing at the time.
Can’t see the dirty Highlanders hanging on for 80min.
@McLovin (Comment 49) : We can only hope that they will.
Why are the Crusaders allowed to dive off their feet at ruck time to secure their own ball?
@McLovin (Comment 51) : Because they are the one and only Crusaders.
@McLovin (Comment 51) : Not unlike the bulls me thinks . . .
@Original Pierre (Comment 53) : Difference is the Bulls get penalised.
Saders turn over a scrum on Landers 5m line. Should have been a line out
@McLovin (Comment 51) : It’s preperation for the RWC.
Landers escape with a penalty. SBW on
Try Crusaders. Adam Whitelock
Damn!
Converion missed.
Saders 18
Landers 20
58 mins
@McLovin (Comment 54) : That depends on the referee. Morning Marius and Craig !!
Penalty from Tony Brown
Saders 18
Landers 23
61 mins
I think the band is putting the Crusaders off their game.
@Original Pierre (Comment 61) :
Some heartstopping moments coming up imo.
Glad I’m just a ‘neutral’.
Another 3 point to the Highlanders.
Saders 18
Landers 26
64 mins
Sean Maitland is on the field
Come on Highlanders!!!
About 5 mins left??
6 mins left. Saders still trailing by 8
Saders lineout 10m from Highlanders’ goal line
Seems the Saders lost this one due to coach making to many changes at once
Highlanders turn the ball over again. Great defense
3 mins left. Sader attacking from their own half
Well done Highlanders!
Great result. Saders get 0.
FULL TIME
Crusaders 18 -26 Highlanders
So the Crusaders are human!
I give up!
Nice win ,counter ruck was good .
Well done Highlanders. The 13 teams not involved in this match thank you.
Awesome!!!! Lets just hope that losing becomes a habbit.
Where’s our local Highlander?
Congrats with your team’s result today HH.