The Blues continue their road trip and this time around they’re at least in their own country. That said, AMI Stadium in Christchurch may just prove somewhat less hospitable than Brisbane…For the home team, Magic Richie is back, in the somewhat unfamiliar role of blindside flank. Most importantly, though, he has the captain’s armband back and that should be enough to ensure victory for the home team.
The Blues are having a funny season though and despite never really looking the business, are still 2/3 having won twice away from home. This might just be a lot closer than we think!
Kick-off is at 08h35 SA time
Crusaders: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Richie McCaw (captain), 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti’i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Peter Borlase, 18 Isaac Ross, 19 Jonathan Poff, 20 Kahn Fotuali’i, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Colin Slade.
Blues: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Viliami Ma’afu, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Tom Chamberlain, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 George Pisi.
Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Josh Noonan (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Tweet
Blues in the lead.
3-0
7min
Drop kick Brett
6-0
6-3
10min
6-6
16min
Blues back in the lead.
9-6
18min
Try Saders.
Saders lead 15-9
20min
go rugby team!
15-12
23min
Ref seems to be giving the defending players more rights than at the start of the season. 😎
Richie McCheat on the blindside today.
Correction.
Score is 13-12 to the Saders. 😳
16-12
35min
16-15
@McLovin (Comment 14) : I like your candy cane lipstick avatars better. 😀
@Dancing Bear (Comment 16) : Strangely someone else also said something similiar the other day.
Half Time
Saders lead 16-15
@McLovin (Comment 17) : Gee I wonder why? 😆 But don’t take anything I say right now too seriously. You all are on caffeine induced morning buzzes. I’m just in from the pubs. 😆
wow. Close game. But the Saders will win in the last quarter, as always
@robdylan (Comment 20) : Thanks a lot Rob, now what’s the point of even watching? You’ve already told me the result, and the plot! 😆
Game back on btw. For 10min in fact.
No change in score.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 21) : he he. Seen this one before 🙂
@McLovin (Comment 22) : Of course there is no change in score. rob already told us we have to wait until the last quarter. 😀
Intercept. Try Saders.
23-15
58min
@McLovin (Comment 25) : It must be the last quarter. I saw this last week. 😆
@McLovin (Comment 26) : 2 minutes early!
26-15
62min
Ref not giving the tackled player as much protection. ❓
@McLovin (Comment 30) : Well, if he didn’t get himself tackled in the first place he wouldn’t need the referee’s protection! 😆
Blues’ wheels wobbling.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 31) :
Saders score another.
Poor tackling from the Blues.
33-15
68min
One more try needed for the BP.
Blues falling apart. 🙄
Blues score a try.
33-20
76min
Final Score
33-20