Super Rugby Final 2011. Reds vs Crusaders Super 15 Final. The 2011 Super Rugby League season is drawing to a close. The entire season of mind blowing tries, brutal tackles, comeback victories and unexpected letdowns has all been leading towards this final match. The winner-take-all showdown will take place on July 9th in Brisbane between the first place Reds of Australia and the third place Crusaders of New Zealand.
The Reds have been a dominant side throughout the season, entering the finals with a record of thirteen wins and three losses as well eight points for their two bye weeks. The championship matchup finds the Reds healthy and firing on all cylinders. Their semi-final match against the Blues saw the return of Digby Ioane, Beau Robinson and Anthony Faingaa from injury. Additionally the Red’s winger Rod Davies earned the clubs first ever playoff hat-trick. Even though it was Davies scoring the tries, much of the teams offensive power was generated by the dynamic play of ten man Quade Cooper whose dazzling footwork and trickery set up scoring opportunity time and time again. The team enters into the final having suffered no additional injuries during the semi-final match, and with a chance for winger Luke Morahan to return from his hamstring injury.
The Crusaders, with eleven wins, four losses, a draw and two bye weeks, enter the final match with slightly more damage done to their roster through injury and illness. Lock Luke Romano, a consistent contributor who came into the semi-finals game off of the bench, has a possibility of being unable to play due to chicken pox. The other injury issue looming over the Crusader’s head is the shoulder of Andy Ellis. Though hurt in the semi-final match, Coach Todd Blackadder says Ellis still has a possibility of playing. If either Romano or Ellis is unable to play for the Crusaders, solid backups are already standing by to step into their places in the forms of Lock Chris Jack and Halfback Willi Heinz. Despite these issues and the Crusader’s perceived underdog status entering the face-off, this game promises to be a close fought affair. The Crusader’s were clinical in their semi-final dissection of the outmatched Stormers, and have been consistently improving season from game to game as their season progresses. Their presence in the finals is made even more impressive when you consider that every “home” game was played away from the earthquake ravaged Christchurch.
Look for a dazzling Super Rugby finale between two closely matched teams. On the ninth Quade Cooper and Dan Carter, two of rugby’s premier playmakers, will be driving forces offensively and in the kicking game while both teams will showcase fantastic set pieces and passionate, physical open field play.
Reds vs Crusaders both sides will enter the arena with following players:
Reds: Jono Lance, Rod Davies, Anthony Faingaa, Ben Tapuai, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Radike Samo, Beau Robinson, Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill (c), Rob Simmons, Greg Holmes, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley.
Reserves: James Hanson, Guy Shepherdson, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Ian Prior, Will Chambers.
Crusaders: Tom Marshall, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Sonny Bill Williams, Zac Guildford, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett
Reserves: Quentin McDonald, Ben Franks, Luke Romano/Chris Jack, Matt Todd, Kahn Fotuali'i, Matt Berquist, Ryan Crotty.
The Reds have been a dominant side throughout the season, entering the finals with a record of thirteen wins and three losses as well eight points for their two bye weeks. The championship matchup finds the Reds healthy and firing on all cylinders. Their semi-final match against the Blues saw the return of Digby Ioane, Beau Robinson and Anthony Faingaa from injury. Additionally the Red’s winger Rod Davies earned the clubs first ever playoff hat-trick. Even though it was Davies scoring the tries, much of the teams offensive power was generated by the dynamic play of ten man Quade Cooper whose dazzling footwork and trickery set up scoring opportunity time and time again. The team enters into the final having suffered no additional injuries during the semi-final match, and with a chance for winger Luke Morahan to return from his hamstring injury.
The Crusaders, with eleven wins, four losses, a draw and two bye weeks, enter the final match with slightly more damage done to their roster through injury and illness. Lock Luke Romano, a consistent contributor who came into the semi-finals game off of the bench, has a possibility of being unable to play due to chicken pox. The other injury issue looming over the Crusader’s head is the shoulder of Andy Ellis. Though hurt in the semi-final match, Coach Todd Blackadder says Ellis still has a possibility of playing. If either Romano or Ellis is unable to play for the Crusaders, solid backups are already standing by to step into their places in the forms of Lock Chris Jack and Halfback Willi Heinz. Despite these issues and the Crusader’s perceived underdog status entering the face-off, this game promises to be a close fought affair. The Crusader’s were clinical in their semi-final dissection of the outmatched Stormers, and have been consistently improving season from game to game as their season progresses. Their presence in the finals is made even more impressive when you consider that every “home” game was played away from the earthquake ravaged Christchurch.
Look for a dazzling Super Rugby finale between two closely matched teams. On the ninth Quade Cooper and Dan Carter, two of rugby’s premier playmakers, will be driving forces offensively and in the kicking game while both teams will showcase fantastic set pieces and passionate, physical open field play.
Reds vs Crusaders both sides will enter the arena with following players:
Reds: Jono Lance, Rod Davies, Anthony Faingaa, Ben Tapuai, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Radike Samo, Beau Robinson, Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill (c), Rob Simmons, Greg Holmes, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley.
Reserves: James Hanson, Guy Shepherdson, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Ian Prior, Will Chambers.
Crusaders: Tom Marshall, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Sonny Bill Williams, Zac Guildford, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett
Reserves: Quentin McDonald, Ben Franks, Luke Romano/Chris Jack, Matt Todd, Kahn Fotuali'i, Matt Berquist, Ryan Crotty.
Reds vs Crusaders Super 15 Final Live Stream
Reds vs Crusaders Live Stream
Match scheduled : Reds vs Crusaders
Dated: 09-07-2011
Time : 9.00 to 11.00 (GMT)
Time :11:40 SA (Queensland)
Kick Off : 10:40 (UK), 19:40 (Aus), 21:40 (NZ)
Reds vs Crusaders Live Stream
Match scheduled : Reds vs Crusaders
Dated: 09-07-2011
Time : 9.00 to 11.00 (GMT)
Time :11:40 SA (Queensland)
Kick Off : 10:40 (UK), 19:40 (Aus), 21:40 (NZ)
