The Crusaders and the Blues face off in the only New Zealand derby match for the weekend, with an interesting situation at hand. The higher ranked Crusaders come off a loss while the lowly Blues come off a win. Where will the momentum be?
The Crusaders have made a host of changes following their loss to the Rebels, albeit injury enforced and simply bringing back first choice players. We also see Dan Carter back in his preferred position of flyhalf, while Crotty and Fruean combine once again in midfield.
The Blues are still without their captain, but name a settled looking team, with no changes to the backline, and only a few positional switches amongst the forwards. If the Blues throw caution to the wind, we might see a rather entertaining match here.
Crusaders: 1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Corey Flynn, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. George Whitelock, 7. Matt Todd, 8. Richie McCaw (c), 9. Andy Ellis, 10. Dan Carter (vc) 11. Zac Guildford, 12. Ryan Crotty 13. Robbie Fruean 14. Adam Whitelock,15. Israel Dagg
Replacements : 16. Quentin MacDonald,17. Ben Franks,18. Tom Donnelly,19. Brendon O’Connor,20. WIlli Heinz,21. Tyler Bleyendaal,22. Tom Marshall
Blues: Hadleigh Parkes, David Raikuna, Ma’a Nonu, Michael Hobbs, Benson Stanley, Gareth Anscombe, Piri Weepu; Luke Braid (capt), Daniel Braid, Steven Luatua, Ali Williams, Liaki Moli, Tevita Mailau, Tom McCartney, Tony Woodcock.
Replacements : James Parsons, Angus Ta’avao, Filo Paulo, Peter Saili, Alby Mathewson, Lachie Munro, Sherwin Stowers.
Referee: Bryce Lawrence
Assistant Ref 1:Glen Jackson
Assistant Ref 2:Jonathon White
TMO : Vinny Munro
Tweet
Go Blues!
Bryce 🙄
Crusaders try – Matt Todd
Converted – Carter
Saders 7 – 0 Blues
6 mins
Crusaders try in the corner – Adam Whitelock
Conversion missed – Carter
Saders 12 – 0 Blues
12 mins
Only 1 FL Try for the weekend thus far. This year my whole squad sucks 🙄
Go Saders, make it 3 from 3 for me on SB
Crusaders almost score again in the corner. Just in touch. Its all Crusaders here.
Crusaders win the lineout and bundle over the line for a try – Richie McCaw
Converted – Carter
Saders 19 – 0 Blues
22 mins
Bonus point try for the Crusaders – Luke Romano
Conversion missed.
Saders 24 – 0 Blues
38 mins
I think its all over for the Blues. No comeback for them, unless the Saders take the 2nd half off
Crusaders score their fifth try – Corey Flynn
Converted from the touchline – Carter.
Half Time
Crusaders 31 – 0 Blues
@Ben (Comment 15) : And it’s only halftime 😈
Carter is having a ‘Sias’ with the boot today 😀
@Ben (Comment 16) : lol this blues team is a joke
@Poisy (Comment 19) : Almost as k*k as the Lions. How are you doing mate?
@Ben (Comment 20) : I’m alryt mate yourself? The family well?
Crusaders score again – Andy Ellis
Converted – Carter
Saders 38 – 0 Blues
44 mins
@Poisy (Comment 21) : All good on this side thanks.
If I was Pat Lam, I wouldve gotten the hell out of Dodge weeks ago.
@Ben (Comment 24) : how come you doing commentary today? Rob and richard on early holiday 😛
Crusaders try – Corey Flynn gets his second
Try converted – Carter
Saders 45 – 0 Blues
51 mins
@Ben (Comment 27) : Arme Blues 🙄
@Poisy (Comment 26) : I guess they have lives. 😆
@JarsonX (Comment 29) : Feel for them! 🙄
The Saders are scoring tries at a rate of 1 every 7 mins. Can they get 4 or 5 more 😛
@Ben (Comment 30) : since when 😛
Perhaps I should have made Carter my FL Captain 💡
@JarsonX (Comment 32) : the way this is going they just might get 5 more
Since Plumtree signed a contract extension!
Blues try – Lachie Munro
Conversion missed – Anscombe
Saders 45 – 5 Blues
62 mins
Come on Saders, score a few more 😛
@Ben (Comment 36) : you pulling my leg right!? That did not happen 😯
@Poisy (Comment 40) : If I ignore it, will it go away
@Poisy (Comment 40) : Haha no but his current contract is until the end of 2013 if I’m not mistaken.
Crusaders try from deep – Zac Guildford
Try converted – Carter
Saders 52 – 5 Blues
68 mins
8 tries and I only have a single FL try 🙁
@Ben (Comment 42) : nooooooooooooo we need nick mallet 🙁
@Poisy (Comment 46) : I’d love Jake White but Nick Mallet would be fine as well! 😉
@Ben (Comment 47) : jake white wouldn’t have anybody to fetch him his drinks at the sharks
Crusaders try – Tom Marshall
Try converted
Saders 59 – 5 Blues
78 mins
@Poisy (Comment 48) : Marius Joubert? 😕
@Ben (Comment 51) : his got a baby sitting job with the sharks xv 😮
Blues have the last say of the day with a try – Lachie Munro’s 2nd.
FULL TIME
Crusaders 59 – 12 Blues
@Poisy (Comment 52) : Not anymore.
@Ben (Comment 54) : now for the snoils the reds will be having lion biltong tonight 🙄
@Ben (Comment 55) : so his collecting a pay check just for going to practice,gotta love the retirement home called the kznru 😈
@Poisy (Comment 57) : Not only that. A BIG FAT pay cheque!