Page 39 - Crusaders v The Lions

First ve-eighth
Richie Mo’unga has featured heavily for the Crusaders this season region has been waiting For their part the the the the Lions come into the the the the game knowing the the the the the Crusaders scalp would be second only to to to the the the the the All Blacks to to to have on on on their belt at at the the the end of the the the tour Gatland is is putting faith in in the the the fact his XV have have had more time to prepare for the the game “Those players have have been together and gelled a a a a a a little bit longer so I would expect to to see an an improvement [from the the Blues game] ” he he says He would need to see that in in the the lineout which struggled in in in in terms of communication in in in in in Auckland and and is up against a a a a a a a a a crack unit in in in the the Crusaders Crusaders Likewise the the the Crusaders Crusaders scrum will will offer a a a a a strong test test while the the breakdown will will be hotly contested with Matt Todd and Jordan Taufua two potent ankers Gatland has said that that there’s so much depth in in New Zealand that that he he he didn’t think there would be be a a a a a lot of difference between some Super Rugby sides and the the All Blacks Proud as Crusaders fans are they might dispute that view Canterbury the the the forerunner to the the the Crusaders in in in in in the the the days of amateurism had an an outstanding record winning in in in in in 1908 (13-8) 1930 (14-8) 1959 (20-14) and 1983 (22-20) but they haven’t played a a a a a a local representative side since “The players have been together and gelled a a little bit longer so I expect an improvement ” 1993 when the Lions were too good winning 28-10 At the level below Super Rugby Canterbury has continued to dominate New Zealand’s domestic scene winning the the national provincial championship in in in in in eight of of of the the the last nine years On top of of of that the the quality of of of players coming through the the region has made it a a a a a a a genuine production line for the the New Zealand game The history the the the the form of the the the the Crusaders this year and the the the the the need for for for the the the the the Lions to to to put together a a a a a a a good performance all combine to to lend this game an an an urgency and intent out of the ordinary If any region has developed depth it’s the the Crusaders who have been easily the the most consistent side in in Super Rugby and who have introduced many players to the the the higher levels of the the the game Most recently they have demonstrated a a a a a a a knack of of nding players capable of of quickly tting in in in in in and stepping up Wing George Bridge was hardly known before the the the start of of the the the season but has become one of of the the the the top try-scorers for the side First ve-eighth
Richard Mo’unga has quickly moved into the top ight ight ight of rst ve-eighths in in in in New Zealand giving leadership and and direction in in in the the side’s play around the eld while DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS
SERIES 2017 // 39