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No stand downs for Crusaders for Saturday night

Crusaders fly-half Richie Mo’unga scores against the Stormers

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders have returned from two weeks on the road to host the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday night.

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All of the changes to the side this week are in the forward pack, including the return of Joe Moody at loosehead prop, shifting George Bower to the reserves. At hooker, Andrew Makalio will start this game in place of Codie Taylor, and Brodie McAlister is set to make his Investec Super Rugby debut from the bench.

Kieran Read is on All Blacks rest this week, and there is a reshuffle in the loose forwards which sees Jordan Taufua move from No. 8 to blindside, Whetukamokamo Douglas start at No. 8 and Ethan Blackadder provide cover on the bench.

Backs Richie Mo’unga and George Bridge, who have been caught up in the middle of misconduct allegations this week, retain their spots at first five and on the wing.

The Crusaders have all but sewn up top seeding for the playoffs but their form has faltered a little bit in the last few weeks. Coach Scott Robertson will be looking for a reassuring performance from his charges as the finals draw nearer.

Crusaders: David Havili, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (c), Scott Barrett, Michael Ala’alatoa, Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Isi Tu’ungafasi, George Bower, Luke Romano, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt.

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Nickers 27 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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