Is there really any doubt in anybody’s mind who will win in any game between the Rubble Reds and the Multiple Champion Crusaders… maybe this year there should be….
The Crusaders have now already won 11 matches on the trott, so the odds favour them considerable against Australia’s weakest side.
The sign of a good team is when you come back from behind without stressing, much like the Crusaders did against the Highlanders last week in round 1. There are just too many superstars in this team…. too many!
The Reds under new coach Ewen McKenzie has been better though, a much harder nut to crack, but, like the Lions from SA, they’re just not up to it.
My prediction is a bonus point win for the Crusaders, to already be sealed at half time…. Crusaders by 20 Plus… and counting.
Previous Super 14 results:
2009: Crusaders won 32-12 (Christchurch)
2008: Crusaders won 27-21 (Brisbane)
2007: Crusaders won 33-22 (Christchurch)
2006: Crusaders won 47-21 (Brisbane)
Teams:
Reds: 15 Peter Hynes, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Rod Davies, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Jake Schatz, 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Adam Byrnes, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Robert Simmons, 19 Leroy Houston, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 Tim Walsh, 22 Will Chambers.
Crusaders: 15 Colin Slade, 14 Jared Payne, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Kieran Read (captain), 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti’i Paulo, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Brad Thorn, 19 Jonathan Poff, 20 Kahn Fotuali’i, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Sean Maitland.
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Steve Walsh (Australia), Damian Mitchelmore (Australia)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)