The Crusaders have left out most of their All-Blacks for their first game and it is hard to know why not. The Waratahs was not even one of the top teams last year and after losing a bunch of their international players there is barely a recognizable name on their team sheet. It is hard to see this game going any other way than a win for the New-Zealand team.
Key mach ups:
Jack Goodhue vs Karmichael Hunt: This is one of the few mach ups in the game and well even this one is hard to see going the way of the Waratahs. Jack did however not have a great season last year but even a not in form Goodhue is a word class center. Hunt is great in his own right and would want to compete for the Australian jersey again so he will definitely want to leave his mark on the opposition.
Teams:
Crusaders:
Starting XV: 1 Goerge Bower, 2 Andrew Makalio, 3 Oliver Jager, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 5 Mitchell Dunshea, 6 Tom Sanders, 7 Tom Christie, 8 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 11 Leicster Faingaanaka, 12 Jack Goodue, 13 Braydon Ennor, 14 Will Jordan, 15 David Havili.
Bench: 16 Codie Taylor , 17 Isi Tu’ungafasi, 18 Micheal Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Cullen Grace, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Bret Cameron, 23 Sevu Reece.
Waratahs:
Starting XV: 1 Tom Robertson, 2 Robbie Abel, 3 Tetera Faulkner, 4 Tom Staniforth, 5 Rob Simmons (c), 6 Lachlan Swinton, 7 Michwal Hooper, 8 Jed Holloway, 9 Jake Gordan, 10 Will Harrison, 11 Alex Newsome, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 13 Lalaki Faketi, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 15 Kurtley Beale.
Bench: 16 Damian Fitzpatrick, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Chris Talakai, 19 Ryan McCauley, 20 Jack Dempsey, 21 Carlo Tizanno, 22 Mitch Short, 23 Jack Maddocks.
My Prediction:
Well it Should be obvious to know how my prediction will turn out. I predict that the Crusaders will win with 20 Points.
Rugby dissect 
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