Crusaders (13) 18 / Highlanders (15) 26 (Final Score)
The Crusaders hosted the Highlanders at Trafalgar Park, Nelson at 09:35 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on Tv in SA.
A gritty Highlanders side showed how to beat the Crusaders at home with formidable defence and forwards who spoil every possible fast ground ball of the opposition, both teams scoring 2 tries.
Scorers:
Crusaders: 1 Penalty & 1 Conversion & 1 Drop Goal Matt Berquist, 1 Try Zac Guildford, 1 Try Adam Whitelock
Highlanders: 3 Penalties & 1 Conversion Tony Brown, 1 Try Siale Piutau, 2 Tries James Paterson
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Teams:
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Tom Marshall, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Adam Whitelock, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Matt 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: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 James Paterson, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Ben Smith, 11 Siale Piutau, 10 Tony Brown, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 John Hardie, 6 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Tom Donnelly, 3 Chris King, 2 Mo Schwalger, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (captain).
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 David Te Moana, 18 Nick Crosswell, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Sean Romans, 21 Matt Saunders, 22 Telusa Veainu.
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Vinny Munro (New Zealand), James McPhail (New Zealand)
TMO: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Well done Landers. Never allowed Saders even a bonus point.
Well, well, well… it’s a cruel competition this.
Saders went from Log Leaders overall to possible 4th spot or worse…. in 1 game!
Now it is looking like 3 kiwi sides will make the play offs. One will make the semi and the other two the play offs.
Reds should make a semi. Then Stormers/Sharks or Bulls to get in buy winning our conference. That leaves only one place in the play offs. Eish!!!!!! gonna be tough.
@ Puma:buy = by
Sader coaches made a mistake by leaving SBW and Maitland on the bench. They should have started. Also once Carter and McCaw come back this team will be a whole lot better. Probably keeping those players fresh for the SA tour.
93@ Puma:
The Blues and Stormers have now already passed the Crusaders on the Log…. maybe the Reds will now do so as well…
Sharks could almost draw level with the Saders, 1 point behind if they win well… and the Landers already now 1 point behind the Saders…..
Bigggggggggg Log jam now…
@ grootblousmile:92 – They will be back gbs. Carter and McCaw out. But both players will probably be back for the SA tour. Also SBW and Maitland were left on the bench. With those 4 starting this Sader team will be back. I have no doubt about it.
@ grootblousmile:96 – Saders will be back gbs. They have players coming back. Like McCaw, Carter. Why they left SBW and Maitland on the bench is a mystery, or rather keeping them fresh for their SA tour, I think that could be it. Watch with those players back they will be just to classy to lose.
97@ Puma:
No doubt the Saders will be back, but it’s at least nice that the Log gets the chance to close up on them a bit
@ grootblousmile:Every team has their key players. Even if one is out they not the same. Sharks without Lambie not the same. Bulls without FdP or Victor won’t be the same even if they not playing well. Reds without Cooper will NEVER be the same. Saders without CARTER just not the same team. Stormers without Bekker will struggle too.
Like I said we all have a key player in our side without them the team struggles.
Eish!!! this tourney too long boeta. Injuries are coming fast now. Should be a shorten version of the S15 during a world cup year. Maybe our derby games should only be played once against each other. That would give us 4 games shorter (4 weeks shorter) in a world cup year. They need to think about it.
Only good thing if the saffa sides don’t make the semi. WE will be rested for the 3Nations. That won’t be bad in the wc year. Our players have almost played non-stop since last year. Also the kiwi players have played almost non-stop. They also have a domestic tourney like we have the cc. Just far too much rugby. It has to be shorter somehow they rugby year. Bodies can’t take the punishment of playing non-stop without a rest.
So again, if we don’t make the semi in this tourney it just might be a good thing for the wc. REST is just as important as game time.
@ grootblousmile:99 – Yes, but once those players get back not many will beat them. But somehow I think they might be kept out and looked after for the world cup. Those players might not come back. Who knows.
100@ Puma:
Sure… I agree.
Well hopefully the Bulls are now well rested…. hehehe
Let’s mosey on over to the Reds thread
@ grootblousmile:102 – gbs…. 😆 Bulls are well rested……hahahaha.
They gonna win today.
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