RECAP: Rebels v Crusaders
READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round Five encounter between the Melbourne Rebels and the Crusaders in Sydney.
The Crusaders have won their last four Super Rugby games on the bounce against the Rebels, scoring an average of 62 points per game; they picked up a 66-0 win in their last encounter (June 2019) – the biggest win by any team not to concede a point on the day in Super Rugby history.
The Crusaders have won 11 of their last 12 Super Rugby games away from home against Australian opposition, including two wins from two attempts in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman across which they have scored 117 points.
The Rebels have lost their last three Super Rugby games on the bounce at Leichhardt Oval after winning their first two games at the Sydney venue.
* To read our pre-match predictions, CLICK HERE!
* Our live blog will appear below, it might take a little while to load, please be patient. We apologise for the inconvenience!
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Teams:
Rebels: 15 George Worth, 14 Frank Lomani, 13 Andrew Kellaway, 12 Glen Vaihu, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Michael Wells (captain), 5 Trevor Hosea, 4 Rob Leota, 3 Cabous Eloff, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Cameron Orr
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Rhys Van Neck, 19 Steve Cummins, 20 Ross Haylett-Petty, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Young Tonumaipea, 23 Ilikena Vudogo.
Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 David Havili, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 7 Sione Havili Talitui, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Brodie McAlister, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Vella, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Mitchell Dunshea, 20 Tom Sanders, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Dallas McLeod, 23 Manasa Mataele.
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Graham Cooper, Matt Kellahan
TMO: James Leckie