Our first derby of the day and we start with a nice New Zealand game, where the Crusaders need to win to take back the top of the New Zealand log from the victorious Blues.
Even though we have the Crusaders as being the home team above, the game is being played in Wellington, the home of the Hurricanes, which will help the yellow team significantly. The Hurricanes have peaked in the latter part of the season, being unbeaten in their last three games with two wins and a draw.
The Hurricanes will be bidding farewell two of their stalwarts in Ma’a Nonu and Andrew Hore, who have both been told that they are surplus to requirement for next season. The Crusaders, who had their fair share of injury worries, have had to select Ryan Crotty at 12 in place of an injured Sonny Bill Williams.
The game should be a good one so tune in around 09h40 for kick off.
Crusaders :1. Ben Franks . 2. Corey Flynn . 3. Owen Franks . 4. Brad Thorn . 5. Sam Whitelock . 6. George Whitelock . 7. Matt Todd . 8. Kieran Read (c) . 9. Andy Ellis . 10. Dan Carter . 11. Zac Guildford . 12. Ryan Crotty . 13. Robbie Fruean . 14. Brent Ward . 15. Tom Marshall
16. Quentin MacDonald . 17. Wyatt Crockett . 18. Luke Romano . 19. Jonathan Poff . 20. Willi Heinz . 21. Matt Berquist . 22. Tu Umaga-Marshall
Hurricanes:1. John Schwalger,2. Andrew Hore (c) ,3. Neemia Tialata,4. Jeremy Thrush,5. James Broadhurst,6. Faifili Levave,7. Jack Lam,8. Victor Vito,9. Piri Weepu,10. Aaron Cruden,11. Hosea Gear,12. Ma’a Nonu,13. Alapati Leiua,14. Julian Savea,15. Cory Jane
Reserves:16. Laurence Corlett,17. Anthony Perenise,18. Jason Eaton,19. Mark Reddish ,20. Chris Eaton,21. Jayden Hayward,22. Richard Buckman
Match Officials
Referee: Steve Walsh
Assistant referees: Vinny Munro, Shane McDermott
Television match official: Richard Kelly
Crusaders by 5.
Go Hurricanes!
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 1) :
Why so little?
Saders by 22.
GO CANES!!!
Canes to smash the Crusaders.
Nonu’s had a fall out with Hammett. Sounds like a good reason to get rid of Hammett, why’s Nonu leaving???
Julian Savea has to be one of the biggest disappointments of the season.
@beet (Comment 4) : Nonu and Hore have been undermining Hammet in front of the players and it came to a head a few weeks ago after Nonu was spoken to about discipline and then during the match he threw the ball at the TJ when he was unhappy about some decision.
Good call by management to show that the Canes won’t be turned into the Brumbies or Proteas where player power rules.
PROVIDED Hammet is good enough to deliver the goods though.
what a kick andy ellis…
Cru 3 – 0 Hur
27mins.
3 all
37min
Cant we just fast forward this game and get onto the main events this afternoon?
Halftime
Cru 6 – 6 Hur
40min
@beet (Comment 4) : Just read on keo that Nonu might sign with Sharks for next year. Wonder if that is a rumour or for real?
Think it is a mistake, we should be looking at our youngsters and start playing them next year.
We have Jordaan and Sithole we should be looking at.
Go Canes.
@Puma (Comment 12) : Im presuming it was a throw away comment by a reader rather than an article right? Would make no sense for either party.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) : Why so big?
@Puma (Comment 12) : You are not referring to Grant 10s comment “Nonu for Sharks” are you?
how boring is this game?
@robdylan (Comment 17) : I’m not watching, but looking at the score, I’d say pretty boring
Fruean try! Converted
Cru 13 – 6 Hur
44min
Cru 13 – 9 Hur
54mins
Hurricanes 9 – 16 Crusaders
69min
Hurricanes 9 – 16 Crusaders
77min
FULL TIME
Hurricanes 9 – 16 Crusaders
Crusaders top the NZ conference.
4 from 4, 2 margin points
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 25) : Same for me. I was hoping for something a little more from the Crusaders.
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 19) : Starting Xv.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 16) : No go check at the top of keo. It is a tweet from him. So not sure if Nonu will be coming to Sharks or what.