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Crusaders bolster side with two internationals for Hurricanes clash
The Crusaders have made only two changes to their starting lineup ahead of their Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Saturday.
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Following their tense 17-14 South Island derby win over the Highlanders last Friday, head coach Scott Robertson has opted to bring two international players into his run-on side.
One of those changes comes in the loose forwards, where Los Pumas star Pablo Matera is promoted from the bench and into the No 6 jersey in place of All Blacks flanker Ethan Blackadder, who takes the place of the benched Tom Christie at No 7.
The other change comes in the backline, where star midfielder Leicester Fainga’anuku is benched and replaced at centre by four-test All Blacks utility back Braydon Ennor.
Christie and Fainga’anuku aren’t the only newbies in the reserves, as former Highlanders hooker Ricky Jackson is primed to make his Crusaders debut after also being named on the bench.
After having trained with the Christchurch-based franchise as injury cover, Jackson has been included in Robertson’s match day squad due to the unavailabilities of Brodie McAlister (calf) and Shilo Klein (suspension).
The 23-year-old Otago hooker, who was part of the Highlanders between 2019 and 2021, has just one Super Rugby appearance to his name, making his debut off the bench in a loss to the Rebels in Melbourne three years ago.
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Victory over the Hurricanes will see the Crusaders overtake the second-placed Reds, who have a bye this week, on the Super Rugby Pacific table.
A win coupled with a Brumbies loss to the Fijian Drua on Saturday would lift the Crusaders to top spot on the standings, but the Canberra-based side are heavily favoured to beat their Pacific Island counterparts in Brisbane.
Kick-off for Saturday’s clash between the Crusaders and Hurricanes is scheduled for 7:05pm.
Crusaders team to play Hurricanes
1. Joe Moody
2. Codie Taylor (vc)
3. Fletcher Newell
4. Scott Barrett (c)
5. Quinten Strange
6. Pablo Matera
7. Ethan Blackadder
8. Cullen Grace
9. Mitchell Drummond
10. Richie Mo’unga
11. George Bridge
12. David Havili (vc)
13. Braydon Ennor
14. Sevu Reece
15. Will Jordan
Reserves
16. Ricky Jackson
17. George Bower
18. Tamaiti Williams
19. Zach Gallagher
20. Tom Christie
21. Bryn Hall
22. Fergus Burke
23. Leicester Fainga’anuku
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Comments on RugbyPass
Bulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to comments