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Defending champs name strong squad for 2018

Defending Super Rugby champions the Crusaders have named seven new caps, including the son of a former captain and coach, among a squad of familiar names for their 2018 campaign.

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22 year-old Ethan Blackadder, son of Canterbury and Crusaders stalwart Todd, joins dynamic New Zealand under-20 representatives Will Jordan and Braydon Ennor, veteran Mike Delany, Tom Sanders, Billy Harmon and Jack Stratton in the squad.

Another relative veteran, midfielder Tim Bateman, has re-signed for the 2018 season and will play alongside All Blacks Ryan Crotty, Richie Mo’unga, Jack Goodhue and David Havili.

In the forwards, Kieran Read, Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Luke Romano, Codie Taylor, Matt Todd, Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock give this Crusaders a very familiar All Black vibe.

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But it’s the newer members of the squad that will have Canterbury fans looking forward to another season of Super dominance. Blackadder, for instance, earns his place after a strong season with the Mitre 10 Cup runners-up Tasman where he cemented a starting spot in the team. Similarly, Jack Stratton has been strong for Canterbury and, alongside the likes of George Bridge, will be looking to emulate Jack Goodhue whose 2017 efforts saw him called up to the All Blacks.

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Last but not least, it’s great to see Israel Dagg back for another season in red-and-black after a long injury break. Crusaders fans and his younger teammates will be looking to him for leadership and experience as they kick off against the Chiefs on 24 February.

 

2018 Crusaders Squad:

Forwards: Michael Alaalatoa, Scott Barrett, Ethan Blackadder, Wyatt Crockett, MItchell Dunshea, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Billy Harmon, Oliver Jager, Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Peter Samu, Tom Sanders, Quinten Strange, Jordan Taufua, Codie Taylor, Matt Todd, Sam Whitelock.

Backs: Tim Bateman, George Bridge, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Mike Delany, Mitchell Drummond, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Bryn Hall, David Havili, Mitchell Hunt, Will Jordan, Jone Macilai, Manasa Mataele, Richie Mo’unga, Jack Stratton, Seta Tamanivalu.

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Nickers 25 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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