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Crusaders in Christchurch: Rebels set sights on ‘hardest task in our game’
The Melbourne Rebels’ team is in as they set their sights on “the hardest task in our game.” After winning their last three matches before the bye, the Rebels will look to extend that run to four when they take on the Crusaders in Christchurch.
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While it’s true that the Crusaders are last on the Super Rugby Pacific standings with just one win from eight starts, there’s something intimating for any team that travels to Christchurch to take on the serial champions.
It’s a Super Rugby fortress for a reason, but the Melburnians will insist that they’re more than up for the fight.
“It’s a great time for us to take on a team like the Crusaders,” Andrew Kellaway told reporters earlier this week.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
4
Draws
1
Wins
0
Average Points scored
35
14
First try wins
80%
Home team wins
40%
“Going to Christchurch and winning is the hardest task in our game currently in Super Rugby.”
Alex Mafi moves into the run-on side at hooker and will join Matt Gibbon and Sam Talakai in the front row. Tuaina Taii Tualima starts at lock once again alongside the returning Josh Canham.
The backrow trio of Josh Kemeny, Maciu Nabolakasi and Vaiolinil Ekuasi will take the field once again this week in what’s quickly becoming an area of strength for the Rebels.
Ryan Louwrens and Carter Gordon will combine once again in the halves, while coach Kevin Foote has named David Feliuai and Filipo Daugunu in the midfield.
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Darby Lancaster, who scored a blistering hat-trick last time out against the Highlanders, starts on the left wing, Lachie Anderson on the right, and of course Andrew Kellaway out the back.
This clash over the ditch in Christchurch is scheduled to get underway at 5:05 pm AEST on Friday night.
Melbourne Rebels to take on Crusaders
- Matt Gibbon
- Alex Mafi
- Sam Talakai
- Tuaina Taii Tualima
- Josh Canham
- Josh Kemeny
- Maciu Nabolakasi
- Vaiolinil Ekuasi
- Ryan Louwrens
- Carter Gordon
- Darby Lancaster
- David Feliaui
- Filipo Daugunu
- Lachie Anderson
- Andrew Kellaway
Replacements
- Jordan Uelese
- Isaac Kailea
- Taniela Tupou
- Rob Leota
- Angelo Smith
- Jack Maunder
- Matt Proctor
- Nick Jooste
Comments on RugbyPass
What else is Ireland buying in? Middle distance runners from Kenya, sprinters from Jamaica, wrestlers from Iran …?
52 Go to commentsI still get adverts for the Prem final with Danny Care plastered all over them. Is this just because of my cookies (Quins fan) or does everyone else see this advert too?
1 Go to commentsThis is so harsh. Tuputupu went into the tackle very low, if Vaa’i had been standing at full height it probably would have made contact around mid thigh. There has to be some consideration of how low the ball carrier’s head it going into contact. In this case Vaa’i’s bent so far forward and down going into the tackle that his head can’t have been more than 70cm above the ground. Virtually impossible to make a legal tackle when the ball carrier is in the position.
1 Go to commentsThere was a touch of arrogance about the way Leinster repeatedly sought the line, but the nerves were still palpable throughout the whole match with them. They never got into their groove and credit to Toulouse for being determined to win it. I'm still not sure Leinster have that self belief in those crunch battles. Maybe la Rochelle was their final considering how they very nearly blew it in the semis. The cracks were masterfully exploited by Toulouse.
5 Go to commentsRecency bias is a thing, we all fall prey to it. Dupont is an amazing player, but to be considered the best, you have to beat the best. He was an absolute monster in the Champion’s Cup finals, but he wasn’t quite that monster at the RWC. France have an amazing team, even without AD. It’s not like he’s a Sergio Parisse there, carrying an inferior team. France are strong enough to win the RWC, let alone at home. The fact, that they’ve failed to do that is an indictment to the claims that AD should be the best player in the world, let alone of all time. The greatest players crank up their performance in the greatest games. This debate is premature.
19 Go to commentsIf France, Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland got together and all changed their eligibility laws in the same way SA has it would be absolutely bonkers. All players from all nations involved in Europe would be fair game as would their coaches. The investment in rugby would be supercharged as teams would rush to create dream teams. Transfer markets would be super charged, salary caps may change, private investment would grow as rich backers first buy clubs and then put money into their clubs in an effort to land the best players. The richest clubs and franchises would benefit most but money and players would move across borders at a steady flow. Suddenly countries like Wales and Scotland would have a much larger pool of players to select from who would be developed and improved in systems belonging to their rivals within superstar squads while their clubs receive large sums in the transfer market. The Six Nations would experience a big boost as the best players become available all the time. The Champions cup would become even more fiercely contested as the dream teams clash. Fan engagement would grow as fans would follow their favourite players creating interest in the game across the continent. Transfer markets and windows would become interesting events in themselves, speculation would drive it and rumours of big transfers and interest in players would spread. All of this is speculation and much of it would not eventuate straight away but just like in football the spread of players and talent would create these conditions over time. The transfer markets in European football is proof of this. Football had the same club vs country debate eons ago and favoured an open system. This has made it the largest game in the world with global interest and big money. Rugby needs to embrace this approach in the long run as well
12 Go to commentsIan dead right on all accounts l can’t see Sotutu Papalli getting a look in even off the bench. I’ve bee n watching Papalli around the field in a lot of games he’s a seagull only seems to commit himself near the line is to catch some. The days are over for players like that anymore we need Blackadder type players covering 6/7/8 rugged and tough.
2 Go to commentsThis is a bit dramatic for me, I think the Rebels and Force cultures would be very strong, and if a player is chosen from either, you can be confident they are in a good head space and ready. Whether they quite have the technical or tactical foundations of the other two states is where one would way their risk of selection. I see no need for Schmidt to worry about that risk in this squad. The main reason I could see a predominance of players from Brumbies and Reds, is simple cohesion. What might the coaching group make of what’s lacking in the Tahs, and to a lesser extent Rebels and Force’s, franchise? Certainly sides (players) that are running irish plays like we saw from that lovely McDermott long ball with have a head start. I hope the players can continue it at International level. Really liked what I saw of Wright (don’t know player focus and just hadn’t seen a lot of him anyway) in that game, can see him being a glue in a Wallaby side too. A with the similar worry of selecting players like Ryan, I think it unfounded to worry so much about forward balance at the moment. Including both Wright and Skelton in the same lineout is not going to lose you games gainst Wales. Nor will any unknown weakenss Wales might find in Ryan be exploited to any great extent. It is the perfect time to introduce such a young player. What other shortcuts might Schmidt want to make now, just a year out from hosting BIL? When Gamble came on the scene I thought he had a Pocock ability to break game apart along with performing the role of a openside well. I would be very keen to drop Leota/Hooper for Gamble, and in your squad make up, include Uru as a lock. Did you forget to remove Vunivalu from your team? Would you have Meafou in your squad if you could?
114 Go to commentsGood 19 more better than him , hv him who cares , every school has players just like if not better , to compare this idiot to Carter obviously gives rugby pass scribes a stiffy losers
52 Go to commentsDupont is one of the best players in the world today - no question. Gareth Edwards, Super Sid, Nick Farr Jones, Joost Van der Westhuizen to name a few that I would rate over Dupont as better halfbacks let alone GOATS. It's sheer folly to try and rate players while they are still playing. I thought Ardie Savea was the best player in the world anyway. Go the Hurricanes
19 Go to commentsAD is really a good player, but the whole concept of calling someone the best in the team sport and especially like rugby is total nonsense .You can look the best in your position, but you cannot be the best in the game. If you play tennis or snooker, be my guest, be the best. Than it comes to the team - sorry. Put AD into NC Falcons, put Verstappen in the slower car, make Messi to play defense or Lomu play #9…. Stop wasting time, AD is good in his position but he is nothing without the team around him.
19 Go to commentsConspiracy theory maybe just maybe Razor is allowing these players to gain oveasea’s IP for a couple years then bring it back before the next world cup…….
5 Go to commentsWell, if there weren’t any countries then there wouldn’t be any international teams to play for! 😉 Anyway, I agree that the RFU should scrap that rule but also simultaneously bring in a JIFF style regulation that would force the development of young players. McCall, Dowson, Sanderson and Van Graan all agreed recently that there is a lot of strong talent at championship level and they are loaning championship clubs players to keep match time at required levels. Alongside that, the RFU should do whatever it takes to get the championship games on terrestrial tv and get the profile lifted massively - even if they have to give it away at the beginning. BBC & ITV are crying out for content and the access will put the game in front of more people. Canal+ have just renewed their deal out to 2032 and as well as averaging over €9m/year for top14 clubs, it also includes over €10m/year for the pro D2 league at a 36% uplift.
12 Go to commentsRichie against Ireland he showed up, arense against New Zealand had crucial targgle on Jodie, he denied him try scoring opportunity against top ranked team, best players show up against the best in the world to the best, you need to beat the best…. So for me any north hemisphere player to be the best , need to beat the best otherwise your measure of being the best is totally unfair and bias….Ronald and Messi they were playing against the best hence we regard them as the best. This could be the best criteria to measure their level.
19 Go to commentsSo you want to undermine the Premiership because a bunch of players who are either well into their 30s or aren't first choice are taking the money overseas. Talk about an overreaction. A much better idea is what the RFU are actually doing with their shared contracts, which will allow them to avoid the situation where key players don't have good reason to stay.
12 Go to commentsI totally disagree with you all guys. Let alone the exceptional comments but I think you all being bias. This guy Dupont it depends whom he is playing against. Let, him play against SH teams , North hemisphere I turn to look down at them because they are so weak, those team plays against few hemisphere players. To be honest i don’t see anything special about Dupont to be fair. Richie , Arense are far much better than Dupont, due to their explosive when they have a ball.Dupomt can’t beat 2 players infront of him.
19 Go to commentsInterestingly, only one Black Fern in the forwards and that at No 8. Sums up I think their main weakness and why they are struggling against England, France and Canada. Nothing to do with the referees as they seem to think. When you are under pressure from the opposing pack you tend to give away penalties.
4 Go to comments““Imagine if Jack Willis was allowed to play for England…”” We don’t need to imagine. He was playing for England less than a year ago. He was very good, in fact he was maybe my favourite player to watch, but he wasn’t markedly better than the others available on the flank. Not many people were up in arms about his lack of world cup game time.
12 Go to commentsNot sure I’d compare him to Carter - he’s more in the mold of Damian McKenzie - smaller, agile, very skilled. His size/defense was probably one of the things holding him back from making more starts in Super Rugby, but he’s overcome that with nouse this year so this is a very good signing for Ireland
52 Go to commentsRecency bias plus the far higher profile thanks to internet/social media are pushing his incredibly higher stocks even higher.
19 Go to comments