SUPER RUGBY, ROUND 9, APRIL 21st,2023 CRUSADERS v MELBOURNE REBELS
AAMI PARK,MELBOURNE
REBELS (1-15):
Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Sam Talakai, Josh Canham, Trevor Hosea, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Monty Ioane, Stacey Ili, Reece Hodge, Lachlan Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
RESERVES: Jordan Uelese, Cameron Orr, Pone Fa’amausili, Angelo Smith, Daniel Maiava, James Tuttle, Lukas Ripley, Joe Pincus
It’s another shortened bye week round of games this weekend with just four fixtures on offer and three of the Australian teams in action.
The Rebels were the walking-wounded at half-time against the Blues on the Easter weekend, but Kevin Foote has been able to name his big guns for their tough match-up against the Crusaders in Melbourne on Friday night.
Alex Mafi, who suffered a fractured hand, has been named to start at hooker and the return of his No.1 lineout target Trevor Hosea (concussion) will help the Rebels’ set-piece immensely.
Test utility back Andrew Kellaway has been named on the right-wing while Lachie Anderson shifts to fullback, with Joe Pincus named on the bench.
The Rebels have some heavy hitters to bring on too, with hooker Jordan Uelese and tight-head prop Pone Fa’amausili named as replacements.
Having slipped outside the top eight, the Rebels can ill-afford to drop another home match but they’ll be tested by the Crusaders who are bolstered by the return of Sam Whitelock for the first time since round three.
The veteran All Blacks lock headlines the Crusaders’ changes, which also see Test back David Havili return to the midfield to partner the exciting Braydon Ennor.
Codie Taylor starts up front in the No.2 jersey alongside his All Blacks front-row partner Joe Moody. Tamaiti Williams is the tight-head prop. All Blacks prop George Bower is out for the season, and also out of World Cup selection after suffering an injury. He joins Sevu Reece who is out of both forms this year with injury.
CRUSADERS (1-15):
Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett (c), Sam Whitelock, Dom Gardiner, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo’unga, Macca Springer, David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Pepesana Patafilo, Fergus Burke
RESERVES: Brodie McAlister, Finlay Brewis, Seb Calder, Quinten Strange, Cullen Grance, Willi Heinz, Jack Goodhue, Dallas McLeod
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
PREDICTION.
I think the Crusaders will be too tough here and will be looking for a bonus point as well. You can back them with a 15 point start for around $1.65
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