Reds vs. Crusaders

Ah Rugby. I have failed to post anything for the last 6 months so I thought a new post discussing my most favorite topic is overdue.

This weekend's match between the Reds and Crusaders for the Super 15 title will be a cracker. Not least because it will pit many All Blacks against several key Wallabies (or likely ones at the very least). But because it will set the scene and expectations for the coming RWC which I intend to write a lot about as it unfolds.

I am keen to see how Andy Ellis and Dan Carter handle Will Genia and Quade Cooper (the Red's best Kiwi in the last game..a Tokoroa boy). I know that the Crusaders won't give the Reds any space, unlike the Blues last week. My guess it will be grinding, tight football for the first 60 minutes to tire the Reds out, and if they can wear them down they may open the game up after that but not until Dan-the-man has slotted a few through the posts.

Let's hope that the referee will make reasonable calls and not miss obvious forward passes and offsides like last time not to mention a couple of dubious penalties that even my Aussie mates were quietly smiling about. The Crusaders will be seeking revenge for the debacle of the last meeting.

Positives for Crusaders: Been here done this - they know finals football. A serious pack anchored by the Frank brothers and an All Black back row. Look for early dominance at the scrum which they will use to hammer the Reds in their 22 to get penalties. It might not be pretty but it will happen.

Positives for Reds: Home crowd of parochial, chip-on-their-shoulder Queenslanders will be deafening, backed by the whole of Australia and probably a few others outside Australia.

Look for the Crusaders to counteract any favoritism with the completely justified Earthquake angle (you gotta have a story). But seriously, the Reds are a good all round team with that X factor ability to excite - a younger version of the Crusaders in a way. They can certainly defend so look for the Crusaders to take the penalty kick/drop goal rather than tries if they can get within range.

Into the Lion's den (the local Rissole) I go - I might just buy a brand new Crusaders jersey for the occasion.

Prediction: Reds 12 vs Crusaders 22