Preview - Crusaders v Reds
Mike Amm
PREVIEW - CRUSADERS v REDS
The Reds, so formidable at Ballymore, are on a major losing streak in
New Zealand, which is unlikely to be halted against the Crusaders at
Jade Stadium on Friday night.
Having suffered heavy losses to the Highlanders at Dunedin and the
Hurricanes at New Plymouth in 2000, the Reds, under new coach Mark
McBain, have crossed the Tasman twice this campaign for two narrow
defeats.
The Chiefs surprisingly edged them out at Rotorua with the Blues doing
the same, in the most dramatic of circumstances, at Albany a week later.
Not since 1999, when the they emerged as Super 12's top-qualifier, have
the Reds won in New Zealand.
Ironically, that last victory on New Zealand soil was against the
Crusaders, the Reds pulling off a crushing 36-23 victory with Chris
Latham scoring two tries.
It might be in coach McBain's interests to show his players the video of
that contest, because the Reds, so awesome at the time, have been mostly
mediocre since.
They never recovered from losing their opening three encounters last
year and if they finish on the wrong side at Jade Stadium, their outlook
will be equally bleak this year.
It's in their favour that the Crusaders are still well below
full-strength.
Test lock Norm Maxwell sustained a groin strain at training this week,
fellow All Black Reuben Thorne is sidelined for a month with a mild disc
prolapse in his neck, neither hooker in the squad, Mark Hammett or Matt
Sexton, is fully fit and coach Robbie Deans isn't yet prepared to risk
Andrew Mehrtens in the starting line-up.
For all that, the Crusaders will field essentially the same line-up that
demolished the Chiefs 40-11 a fortnight ago, with Sam Broomhall coming
in for Thorne and Andrew Hore, the Otago hooker, wearing the No. 2
jersey.
The Reds are still without captain and champion performer John Eales,
but do have winger Damian Smith back from a knee injury. Otherwise their
team is the same as that which was in front till the final seconds
against the Blues.
It was poor defence that ultimately cost the Reds that game at Albany,
the side letting in six tries.
One imagines McBain has been drilling his team in the basics of tackling
since.
They'll need to have improved, because the Crusaders are a team that
come at you in waves and unless the defence is sturdy, the points begin
to mount.
After the two early setbacks, the Crusaders, back in Christchurch where
they are always so formidable, produced rugby against the Chiefs
comparable with some of their finest efforts of 2000.
If they can maintain that standard, the outlook is grim for the Reds.
They have retained Ben Blair on the wing to kick the goals and Brad
Thorn at No. 8 where he will relish the opportunity to have a crack at
his fellow Queenslanders.
Head to head - Afato So'oalo v Ben Tune: Surprisingly, these classy
individuals scored only one try between them in Super 12 play in 2000,
but that was because serious injuries restricted them to a combined
total of five appearances. Now fully fit, they've scored some cracking
tries this year and are poised to make a huge impact on this game.
Players to watch
Crusaders: The player the Reds certainly need to watch is first-five
Aaron Mauger who repeatedly split the Chiefs with his penetrative
running. If the Reds flankers don't close him down, he'll do the same
again. If they do, and the Crusaders need to resort to a kicking game,
expect Andrew Mehrtens to get the call-up.
Reds: Chris Latham was the Reds' leading try-scorer in 2000 (which is
exceptional for a fullback) and he's already bagged three five-pointers
this year. With his acceleration and anticipation he's the Reds' most
lethal weapon, one the Crusaders ignore at their peril.
Previous meetings
1996 at Brisbane: Reds won 52-16.
1997 at Christchurch: Crusaders won 48-3.
1998 at Brisbane: Reds won 35-9.
1999 at Christchurch: Reds won 36-22, at Brisbane: Crusaders won 28-22
(semifinal).
2000 at Brisbane: Crusaders won 27-19.
Planet Rugby365 Prediction: While the Reds have individuals in Latham,
Tune and Herbert who can swing a game, the teamwork of the Crusaders,
which began to show through against the Chiefs, should carry them to
another important victory.
The teams:
Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Ben Blair, Caleb Ralph, Daryl Gibson, Afato
So'oalo, Aaron Mauger, Justin Marshall, Brad Thorn, Scott Robertson, Sam
Broomhall, Chris Jack, Todd Blackadder (captain), Greg Somerville,
Andrew Hore, Greg Feek. Replacements: Matt Sexton, David Hewett, Dallas
Seymour, Richard McCaw, Mark Robinson, Andrew Mehrtens, Ben Hurst.
Reds: Chris Latham, Ben Tune, Daniel Herbert (captain), Steve Kefu,
Damian Smith, Elton Flatley, Jacob Rauluni, Toutai Kefu, David Croft,
Matt Cockbain, Nathan Sharpe, Mark Connors, Fletcher Dyson, Michael
Foley, Nick Stiles. Replacements: Ben Wakely, Nathan Spooner, Nathan
Williams, Scott Fava, John Roe, Glenn Panoho, Sean Hardman.
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa).
By Bob Howitt