This weekend history will be made at Twickenham. The Sharks will enter the history books as the first Super Rugby team to get spanked in the northern hemisphere while the Crusaders will become the first southern hemisphere team to enjoy victory baths in the English changing rooms.
I can’t wait!
Speaking of the Saders, a South African friend recently suggested to me that the red and blacks are currently better than the All Blacks. Well there’s probably a fair amount of overlap between those two teams, but after a second’s thought I had to agree with him. With two exceptions, I would take every one of the starting Crusaders over any other All Black in the same position.
Who are the two exceptions?
1. I’d take Keven Mealamu at hooker over Corey Flynn. Flynn’s arms have been broken so many times he’s forgotten how to throw into line-outs. Well, that’s not quite true. Flynn never knew how to throw into a line-out. Plus, Mealamu’s been wearing his game face lately and he looks increasingly like the first choice in an ever-shrinking pool of Kiwi hookers. (I’d consider Rutledge if the Highlander was a little bigger.)
2. I’d also take Hosea Gear over the rookie Adam Whitelock on the left wing. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I would seriously consider giving Sean Maitland a run at 14. I’ve been no fan of his over the past four years, but he’s having a brilliant start to the 2011 season. So maybe he’s washed off all that butter that used to be on his fingers.
Filed under: All Blacks, Crusaders, rugby, Sharks
