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
Reserves16. Quentin MacDonald17. Ben Franks18. Tom Donnelly 19. Luke Whitelock 20. Willi Heinz21. Tom Taylor 22. Sean Maitland
best possible team named against the bulls and none of this benching players early which so many people dont take into account during the force game, so the crusaders to win the match very comfortably.
i thought maitland might have played himself back into the starting lineup, he had a great game last week, but i suppose it was only the force and adam whitelock has been very dependable for the crusaders, so its awesome that the crusaders have someone the likes of maitland on the bnech.
boys need to watch out for the former stormers and current bulls center englebrecht, kid has massive x factor and speed to burn, but the crusaders as a whole should really win in the end comfortably.
will be tough at the start, towards the end of the first half the crusaders will look the more threatning but it will still be close, then the 2nd half, crusaders will continue with momentum and then shut up shop.
wow that is decent looking team right there.
You will gladenthe heart of snapster with that comment re JJ sasue. He is beginning to assert himself. Nice step as well.
Lets how we have have two great games on Saturday. Pity about things like travel being factors to worry about.
Sasu
Nice to see you back. I think your predicted summary about the game is spot on - the trvelling being a decisive factor in the second half especially.
The Bulls has one major weakness in the prop situation and that could well be worse against the Crusader props.
Please don't mention Engelbrecht again - we will not be able to live with Saffex in future.:)
@beeno1,
travel is a massive factor, its why the chiefs were so gutted to lose to the hurricanes, cos in the finals home advantage is everything and one of many reason why im picking the reds over sharks.
i do think the crusaders will win their match, its a matter of how much by, but its their match the following week which will be the creme de la creme, storemrs vs crusaders in newlands.
I'm so happy the Bulls are the underdogs in this game, takes all of the pressure of expectation off their shoulders. I'm calling an upset here...go Bulle!!
@clevermike,
cheers bro, travel is a major issue, its why the chiefs were all so gutted with their loss against the hurricanes, cos the stormers now have the upper hand, should the two face each other in the finals, cos im not sure on the chiefs ability to beat the stormers in newlands and crusaders.
maybe saffex should blgo on a few NZ spXV sites, englebrecht has been on the watchlist of many former All Blacks who talk himup quite a bit. tony johnson was even quoted as saying that he and goosen will be the future superstars of not just Springbok rugby but world rugby.
but i mention englebrecht cos his attacking ability is frueans weakness, something i hope the bulls center hasnt realised, cos he could really captalise in that area, but hopefully coaching staff are on top of it.
i dont mind him myself, thought he was ok during the CC, but him and taute have really impressed me at spXv level, but goosen is the one who will lay the golden eggs for the Boks in the near future, IMO hes the only one who has the raw ability to surpass carter who i once thought i would never see anyone better in my lifetime, but goosen is so far ticking all the right boxes.
if it was a saders stomers semi then my money wil be firmly on the crusaders taking it....outside of NZ the newlands game is pretty much a home game for the crusaders
@carpetmuncher,
thats my initial thinking too, but one can never rule out the stormers in newlands, even the crusaders, to do so would be the first big step to losing, but crusaders do have a professional culture bred into them by years of success, so u maybe right, but stil,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:/
Well JJ can't defend either....so that sets up an interesting contest......two running 13s neither of whom could stop Little Bo Peep. It would appear the first side to get the ball wide with a bit of space could do some damage.
But the real damage will occur if there are lots of scrums....Crockett and Franks are going to make life very hard in the Bools front row.
