Crusaders v Western Force, preview

[Burgs]

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.

[prop53]

GO THE FORCE

[pruc]

will Haig Sare repeat his brillance (and hopefully) be the one to score the winning try?

[travelling_gerry]

Good idea Pruc......new book posted here

http://thewholeforce.com/showthread.php?t=7025

Who will score the LAST try?

[Burgs]

Force aim to topple Crusaders and grab second

NZPA | Thursday, 5 April 2007

Clambering over the Crusaders into second place on rugby's Super 14 is the mission the Western Force have set themselves this week.
Force No 8 Scott Fava yesterday said in Christchurch that the West Australian side were looking to earn respect at Jade Stadium on Saturday night.
"I guess if you topple the best team in the competition in Super rugby . . . these guys, 24 games straight at home, it's going to gain you a huge amount of respect," he said.
"So there's no doubt about it. I think everyone will sit up and listen and know that we're a force to be reckoned with."

Last season the Force would have been laughed all the way back to Perth for suggesting they might topple the champion Crusaders at Jade Stadium.
After all, the Crusaders have notched up a record 24 home wins, while the Force are second-season Super 14 rookies.

But in 2006 the Force are to be "reckoned with". Third on the points table led by the Blues, they are right on the tail of the Crusaders.
More impressively, they are unbeaten on the road.

Under former All Blacks coach John Mitchell and with expensive signing Matt Giteau calling the shots at No 10, they already demand respect.
"If you look at the context of our year, we've lost a couple of games by one point," Fava said.
"We could be a lot higher in the competition realistically, but at this point of time we're looking to consolidate our position.
"Obviously with the second-placed team playing this weekend, we can jump them and really make a go at this comp."

The Australian side arrived in Christchurch early to give themselves their best shot at the champions, Fava said.
"We're coming up against one of the best teams in the competition, so the better we prepare over here in Christchurch will be better for us."
Fava promised a repeat of the Force mix that has served them well against lesser sides this year: tough in the forwards, hard-hitting defence, a touch of dash in the backs.

He felt they had stepped up from last year, when they carved out a shock 23-23 draw with the Crusaders in Perth.
"Not only are the boys running the ball quite well, but we're actually bonding quite well, so a lot of communication in our defensive line has sort of come naturally, which wasn't there last year," he said.

"After last year's effort. . . we sort of knew we could have won that game. So we've both got a point to prove.
"They haven't beaten us; we haven't beaten them in the competition yet. So it's going to be a good game.
"You can look at our track record and say we're undefeated away, so we can take that confidence coming into this game."

[chook]

Will Sheppard be doing the kicking in this game? Could shape up as the battle of the boot, Sheps v Carter. Sheps with the most points versus the guy who would probably have the most points if not for that confounded resting policy.

[Burgs]

Am totally guessing Chook but he did seem a bit proppy after last week.
I would guess no but who knows, Mitch alluded to "some players being able to play with more pain than others" last week.

[chook]

''Mitch alluded to "some players being able to play with more pain than others''

A nice way to say '' 'arden up soft whatsit''

[Bacon]

Any idea who the ref will be? Hopefully they can bust that cheating McCaw.

[travelling_gerry]

Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Touch judges: Deon van Blommestein, Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)
Television match official: Josh Noonan (New Zealand)
Assessor: Kim Eichmann (New Zealand), Brendan McCormick (Australia)

[jazza93]

wow look at those two back lines!!!!! i cant wait.

[Thequeerone]

Bacon were you watching inside rugby last night - Keffs chalkboard was full of how McCaw cheats - hope the refs were watching

[Bacon]

Nope, don't have foxtel. But have noticed his cheating escapades (not the only one either) for a while.

[pruc]

richie - he doesnt cheat he doesnt break the rules
his only offside unless when the ref says he is

the quote that all loose fowrads live by 'its not illegal unless u get caught'

[JediKnight]

so if you cheat on your missus, then it's not cheating unless you get caught?!