A question mark remains whether two Crusaders loose forwards tour across the Tasman
A question mark remains whether two Crusaders loose forwards tour across the Tasman 19 May 2021
The Super Rugby Aotearoa champions face the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday, before meeting the Waratahs in Wollongong a week later.
Sione Havili Talitui has missed two games with concussion symptoms, while Tom Sanders is also undergoing HIA protocols after breaking his nose in the win over the Brumbies.
Assistant coach Tamati Ellison says Sanders looks a mess.
The Crusaders match day and travelling squad will be released tomorrow before they fly out.
“We’ll have a couple of shandies,” Robertson said after their 24-13 triumph over the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Aotearoa decider on Saturday night. The team could be heard celebrating well into the night at Orangetheory Stadium after sealing a record-extending 12th title, before heading to a private function. Robertson and co certainly weren t rushing to plonk themselves in front of a television set to watch the Brumbies and Reds clash in the Super Rugby Australia final in Brisbane. Rather there was singing, dancing, chanting, you name it, as the euphoric red and blacks toasted their fifth title in as many seasons.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
MAGNIFICENT MCKENZIE
From his scintillating counterattack and clutch goal-kicking to his ability to switch between full back and first five, Damian McKenzie has been central to the Chiefs revival in 2021. McKenzie’s clutch goal kicking has scooped the Chiefs three last gasp victories this season and helped him to a competition leading tally of 98 points. Halfback and captain Brad Weber sang his praises following McKenzie’s match-winning penalty against the Hurricanes in round nine: “He’s the hottest property in town. He deserves it, because he’s the hardest working guy that I’ve seen in our group, the prep that he puts in, so it’s no surprise to us.”
A Richie Mo unga masterclass saw the
Crusaders overcome two yellow cards to defend their
Super Rugby Aotearoa crown with a 24-13 victory over the
Chiefs in Christchurch on Saturday.
For a period in the second half when the Crusaders were defending a narrow 15-13 lead, they were down to 13 men, with All Blacks Codie Taylor and Sevu Reece in the sin-bin.
But flyhalf Mo unga, whose footwork had baffled the Chiefs through much of the match, refused to be flustered as he produced raking touch finders to force them back and extended the scoreline with a drop goal and a penalty.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson celebrates with Richie Mo unga and Codie Taylor after the Crusaders beat the Blues in Auckland.
OPINION: How do the Crusaders and Chiefs before their Super Rugby Aotearoa final on Saturday?
Stuff takes a look at the match-day squads and gives its verdict on who has the edge.
CRUSADERS
15. Will Jordan: Can beat defenders for fun but in the past couple of weeks he has improved in the parts of the game he doesn t find so easy. Defence is the key, and if nails it he can be world class.
8
14. Sevu Reece: A far better year from the explosive finisher who continues to deceive defenders with his pace off the mark.