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Crusaders v Western Force, preview
April 05, 2007 - 4:47pm
Story by: Sportal
Venue & time
Jade Stadium, Christchurch, Saturday April 7, 17:35 AEST
Head to head
Played 1 – Crusaders 0, Force 0, drawn 1.
Last time
April 21, 2006 (Perth) – Force 23-23 Crusaders.
Walking wounded & team changes
Chris Jack's return from All Black camp lasted about 90 minutes before he got trapped in an awkward position at a ruck and suffered hamstring damage that will keep him on the bank for another month at least. Daniel Carter fit and back at flyhalf for Stephen Brett while coach Robbie Deans has brought in Caleb Ralph for Scott Hamilton on the wing.
The Force have lost scrumhalf Matt Henjak to a minor knee injury but Chris O'Young is a useful replacement. Troy Takiari is back at starting prop while Angus Scott is out injured. David Pocock comes back into the starting side for Matt Hodgson as part of John Mitchell's rotation policy. Scott Staniforth and David Pusey are still on the long-term casualty list.
Form
The Crusaders got away with one last week; despite running out to a 22-5 lead in 30 minutes they made hard work of beating a very average Waratahs side. The red-and-blacks seem to turn in one of these every year against a lowly-rated opponent and then bounce back big time, so the Force need to watch out. Crusaders training would not have been a happy place during the week and their minds should be wonderfully concentrated on Saturday.
The Force defence has been simply outstanding for the past few games and has conceded the least amount of tries in the competition. They tackled the Sharks out of the game last week and deserved their four points but a recent lack of try-scoring punch will be worrying Mitchell as he brings his team to Christchurch; you need a long memory to recall the last side to defeat the Crusaders at home by tackling and kicking penalties.
Who's hot
In recent weeks the Crusaders have looked a champion side only in patches. Daniel Carter will be asked to play a big role this week, not least by slowing down the helter-skelter pace that was attempted at Sydney. The Crusaders will want more from their set pieces, which had the wobbles at times last week, and more accuracy under pressure in the backs. The tackling, from 1 to 22, also needs to improve. Richie McCaw will put Pocock through his paces; if the Force teenager stays the distance he'll have done well.
The Force backs offer some clever attacking options. Matt Giteau was electric last week and is playing like one of the best midfielders in the competition while Cameron Shepherd is a big player in attack. The Force has a workmanlike pack - Nathan Sharpe is always solid, and Richard Brown has been playing well.
Teams
Crusaders
1.Wyatt Crockett,
2. Corey Flynn,
3. Campbell Johnstone,
4. Ross Filipo,
5. Michael Paterson,
6. Reuben Thorne,
7. Richie McCaw (captain),
8. Mose Tuiali'i,
9. Andy Ellis,
10. Daniel Carter,
11. Caleb Ralph,
12. Aaron Mauger,
13. Casey Laulala,
14. Rico Gear,
15. Leon MacDonald.
16. Ti'i Paulo,
17. Ben Franks,
18. Kieran Read,
19. Johnny Leo'o,
20. Kevin Senio,
21. Stephen Brett,
22. Scott Hamilton.
Western Force
1. Gareth Hardy,
2. Tai McIsaac,
3. Troy Takiari,
4. Rudi Vedelago,
5. Nathan Sharpe (capt),
6. Richard Brown,
7. David Pocock,
8. Scott Fava,
9. Chris O'Young,
10. James Hilgendorf,
11. Cameron Shepherd,
12. Matt Giteau,
13. Ryan Cross,
14. Digby Ioane,
15. Drew Mitchell.
16. Brendan Cannon,
17. AJ Whalley,
18. Luke Doherty,
19. Matt Hodgson,
20. Jon McGrath,
21. Junior Pelesasa,
22. Haig Sare.