HS Top 200 Crusaders Team

No matter what people think of the South Island and their Rugby at 1st XV level, they always come to play and they can beat sides bigger and stronger. The Crusaders just have this belief in what they have and what they are able to accomplish once they take the field. The Miles Toyota Comp is not as good as other years past and as a whole they are not really showing they would match up well with the best teams in the North, but when that Red and Black Jersey is on none of that matters.

My Mid Season Crusaders Team  

1.  Lehopoame Leota (Christs College) Y12
2.   Manua Letiu (Christchurch BHS) Y12
3.   Richie Tupuailei (St Thomas CC)
4.   Liam Jack (Christs College)
5.   Andre Sula (St Bede’s College)
6.   Harry Nossiter (Christchurch BHS)
7.   Jack Coulthard (St Thomas College Canterbury)
8.   Tanner Stowers-Smith (St Bedes College)
9.   Ben O’Donovan (St Bedes College)
10.  Jordan Soli (Shirley BHS)
11.    Maretino Kaloudau (St Thomas CC) Y12
12.   Nelesoni Malaulau  (Nelson College)
13.  Kurtis Macdonald (Christchurch BHS)
14.   Aliziah Campbell (Selwyn Combined)
15.   Tevita Faitotonu (St Thomas CC)
16.   Riley Brewis (Christchurch BHS)
17.   Bryn Graham (Shirley BHS)
18.    Christian Ioane (St Bedes College) Y12
19.    Jack Barnes (Selwyn Combined)
20.   Oliver Burra (Christchurch BHS)
21.   Timi Sauira (Nelson College)
22.   Benjamin Ward (Christs College)

There is no doubt in my mind that players like Richie Tupuailei, Jack Coulthard, Liam Jack and Ben O’Donovan are some of the best in their positions and when National Rep selections come around their names will be in the mix somewhere, so naturally they will lead this group. Richie has already shown the country how hard it is for defences to take him down and that he has a high motor on him. Jack Coulthard as Captain of St Thomas Canterbury College has also been able to showcase his high work rate and what he is able to do from breakdown to breakdown. Liam Jack in the lineouts and also around the rucks surprisingly is very very strong and he moves well when the ball is in his hands. Then Ben O’Donovan is so quick out of the base of the ruck with a quick release, always passing from the ground and a great communicator and organizer.

Then you have the Year 12’s I have selected in this team, and they are some talented dudes. Hopa Leota from Christs College who sometimes packs down at No.8 is a very good Prop and is going to be one to watch for next year. His ball carrying ability and defence is solid. Manua Letiu is a second year starter for Christchurch BHS and already has a lot of experience as a Year 12. His work rate grows more and more every game and a big reason they are one of the best in their Comp. Maretino Kaloudau is scoring at an unreal rate right now and he seems to push the boundaries when it comes to getting out of trouble. Then Christian Ioane who has played No.8 and Lock this year and last will make meters all day. For some reason defenders find it hard to pull him to the ground because he always looks like he is about to go down and then he pops up out of nowhere and eats up more meters.

Christian’s teammate’s Andre Sula and Tanner Stowers-Smith for me both make the cut and its because of the physical nature they play with each game. Tanner is second best to Richie when it comes to carrying the ball Tanner is just so strong and quick that I’m sure defenders don’t know how to make the best tackle to bring him down. I like the combo of Tevita Faitotonu, Maretino Kaloudau and Aliziah Campbell. That “Back 3” is speed and quickness and any of those 3 in the open field are going to be hard to catch. Jack Barnes Captain of Selwyn Combined never has a bad game and with his hardman approach to the game and just the grind he goes through it was hard to leave him out, also he’s their goal kicker too and a good one.