McCaw forced to pack at 8

McCaw forced to pack at 8

18 Jul 2012

Richie McCaw will start out of position once again as Kieran Read has been ruled out of Saturday’s play-off against the Bulls.

Read was given a 50-50 chance of playing this game, but coach Todd Blackadder has opted to rest the All Blacks No 8 until he is fully fit.

Blackadder will hope that the current back row of George Whitelock, Matt Todd and McCaw can do the job against the Bulls, and that Read will subsequently bolster the side in the semi-finals.

Blackadder has made two changes to the forwards with Wyatt Crockett returning at loosehead prop and Sam Whitelock starting in the second row.

The backline welcomes back Robbie Fruean at No 13, a move which sees Adam Whitelock shifting to the wing.

Crusaders – 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Adam Whitelock, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Richie McCaw (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Subs: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tom Taylor, 22 Sean Maitland.


13 Comments

  • 1.Airwell: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 10:01 am

    Should beat the Bulls by 10 but I hope Pyper gives us an assist

  • 2.willievz: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 10:45 am

    @Airwell(Airwell)-1: Don’t underestimate the mental impact of Peyper’s presence, apart from someone like say Bryce Lawrence.

    It will be a huge confidence booster for the Bulls. His accent alone will make the Bulls feel more at home.

    Last year Lawrence sucked the morale out of the Sharks by giving that penalty against Beast for early engagement. It is little things like that that can make or break a side, especially away from home and your support base.

  • 3.willievz: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 10:51 am

    Kieran Read out as well. A huge loss for the Saders.

    And the Bulls have not lost a single game by more than 7 points this season.

    If they hang in there for the duration of the game, they might – just might – sneak this one.

  • 4.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 11:10 am

    I think the Bulls might be in with a shout here. We will know just how much of a shout after the 1st scrum…………

  • 5.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 11:11 am

    @willievz(willievz)-2: Didn’t Bryce also shout ‘dangerous’ when he penalised Beast? :)

  • 6.Atreides: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 13:53 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-5: I’m surprised he didn’t girl-slap him a few times while screaming “Don’t you hurt my Franksie!” hysterically

  • 7.Hofter Son: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 13:55 pm

    @ 5.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.
    “Shout Dragons?”

  • 8.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 16:25 pm

    @willievz(willievz)-3:
    6 July 2012 Sharks 32 – 10 Bulls Mr Price Kings Park, Durban

  • 9.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 16:25 pm

    But go Bulls!

  • 10.DAS: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 17:45 pm

    This one could go either way. Read is the guy who gives the Saders (and All Blacks) their go forward. On current form, one of the best forwards in the world, big loss for them.

  • 11.Spiesisworthless1: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 18:42 pm

    Yup Read’s loss is massive for the Saders. I think this one will be pretty tight.

  • 12.viewer: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 18:55 pm

    I’ve got no faith in the stupid FuckingReferee. Go ‘Saders in your 17th Crusade. Make the legends proud – Merhtens, Marshall, Thorne, Somerville, MacDomald, Ralph & Mauger.

  • 13.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 21:44 pm

    Who cares .

    He’ll still spend his time off his feet at the breakdown.

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