Crusaders and Reds announce squads for Super Rugby 2011 Final
The Super Rugby 2011 Final is going to be played between Crusaders and Queensland Reds on Saturday, July 9. Both teams have announced their unchanged rosters for the highly anticipated Final. Crusaders’ coach Todd Blackadder and Reds’ Ewen McKenzie kept
their semi-final winning teams intact for the match to maintain their winning streaks.
Making the announcement for the Crusaders, coach Todd Blackadder said that his side will go with the same team that played against the Stormers on July 2. However, he hinted that Andy Ellis could be replaced for the big match due to fitness issues. Ellis
has been struggling with a knee injury he sustained in the semi-final contest.
Blackadder hoped that the same team that won the crucial game against the Stormers will give their best output on the final. He added that, "We've had a good week here in Brisbane and the players look full of energy. It's going to be a great occasion."
Meanwhile, the Reds will also go onto the field Saturday with the same semi-final winning crew. The Reds defeated the New Zealander derby Blues in the first semi-final last weekend. Talking to media, Reds coach Ewen McKenzie expressed his confidence in the
play-off winning side.
McKenzie said that, “At this stage you benefit greatly from continuity and the team we selected against the Blues did a wonderful job and deserve another opportunity. Playing in a final is something you treasure and never take for granted and I know the
team is excited by the opportunity in front of them.”
Both sides will go with the following players for the final contest:
Crusaders: 15-Tom Marshall, 14-Sean Maitland, 13-Robbie Fruean, 12-Sonny Bill Williams, 11-Zac Guildford, 10-Dan Carter, 9-Andy Ellis; 8-Kieran Read, 7-Richie McCaw (captain), 6-George Whitelock, 5-Sam Whitelock, 4-Brad Thorn, 3-Owen Franks,
2-Corey Flynn, 1-Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16-Quentin MacDonald, 17-Ben Franks, 18-Luke Romano/Chris Jack, 19-Matt Todd, 20-Kahn Fotuali'i, 21-Matt Berquist, 22-Ryan Crotty.
Queensland Reds: 15-Jono Lance, 14-Rod Davies, 13-Anthony Faingaa, 12-Ben Tapuai, 11-Digby Ioane, 10-Quade Cooper, 9-Will Genia; 8-Radike Samo, 7-Beau Robinson, 6-Scott Higginbotham, 5-James Horwill (captain), 4-Rob Simmons, 3-Greg Holmes,
2-Saia Faingaa, 1-Ben Daley. Replacements: 16-James Hanson, 17-Guy Shepherdson, 18-Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19-Jake Schatz, 20-Liam Gill, 21-Ian Prior, 22-Will Chambers.
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