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Crusaders boosted by the return of two All Blacks for Southern Derby
The Crusaders have been boosted by the return of two All Blacks in the front row as they look to put a disappointing 33-28 loss to the Reds behind them.
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Tamaiti Williams has been named at loosehead prop, while Codie Taylor returns at hooker from his non-playing sabbatical. Fletcher Newell will start at tighthead to complete the front row.
Williams hasn’t played since suffering a hamstring injury in round one and his return is a timely boost for the under siege Crusaders.
“Fabulous,” Rob Penney said on Wednesday.
“They’re both great Crusaders and quality players and people. They add huge value when they’re around and will add bounce and buoyancy which is great for us at the moment.”
In another boost, captain Scott Barrett has been named despite leaving the field after 13 minutes last week with back spasms. He will partner Quinten Strange in the second row to form a strong tight five unit.
There is no sign of Ethan Blackadder however who suffered a thigh injury in training. Corey Kellow has been named at openside, with Cullen Grace on the blind and Christian Lio-Willie at No.8.
The David Havili experiment at first five will continue but after making his Super Rugby debut last week, Welsh international Leigh Halfpenny has dropped out of the side with another capped Wales player in Johnny McNicholl taking his place.
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Chay Fihaki moves to the right wing while Sevu Reece continues his change to the left.
“Irrelevant of where teams are on the table, the Southern Derby is a massive occasion for both sides,” Penney said.
“It’s a long and deeply held tradition this game and it’s something we’ll do justice to.”
Crusaders team to play Highlanders:
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1. Tamaiti Williams
2. Codie Taylor
3. Fletcher Newell
4. Scott Barrett (c)
5. Quinten Strange
6. Cullen Grace
7. Corey Kellow
8. Christian Lio-Willie
9. Noah Hotham
10. David Havili
11. Sevu Reece
12. Dallas McLeod
13. Levi Aumua
14. Chay Fihaki
15. Johnny McNicholl
Reserves
16. George Bell
17. George Bower
18. Owen Franks
19. Jamie Hannah
20. Tom Christie
21. Mitchell Drummond
22. Rivez Reihana
23. Macca Springer
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Comments on RugbyPass
This game was always going to be close, Canada have such a dominant pack and the Black Ferns have come unstuck in that area against teams like France and England in the past.
2 Go to commentsA distinct discomfort with the officiating they were probably selected from the local IRA narcos branch along with the commentators bloody fly tippers.
1 Go to commentsWow, never thought I would read that
2 Go to commentsExcellent match. Great to see Keenan and Ryan back for Leinster. Super result for Ulster. Season is turning around.
1 Go to comments“We need eight or nine new players, who are hard-wearing and durable and experienced Premiership performers”. So why are they scouting a retired fullback who himself admits that his “body is broken”?
1 Go to commentsBrumbies hand, knocked a Crusaders hand. Therefore, knock on in goal. Crusaders, goal line drop out should’ve been awarded. most likely after that 24 each at full time, so extra time would’ve been the right an entertaining outcome. Act Jim
1 Go to commentsSpeell cehck
1 Go to commentsColeman is gaawwwwnnn.
1 Go to commentsnext SA head coach?
3 Go to commentsGreat try by van Poortvliet.
1 Go to commentsThey have been cruelled by injuries but almost nobody (Sevu Reece and Fletcher Newell big exceptions) has played above himself which regularly happened before. Surely Scott Robertson had maintained the recruitment programme and it looks like a reasonable squad. Last in this competition will stall a lot of careers. Penny seems likeable. But it’s not enough even though this was better. We haven’t been good enough and it’s not helped by the “it’s been 15 years since… “etc “after nearly every match. Seems somehow a soft gifting of something once valuable. Kieran Read giving comments last week almost choked describing the easy surrender of possession by the forwards. I’d love to think that the senior players some of whom are back can show enough pride in the jersey to test the Blues next week.
3 Go to commentsWho will Joe select for the back three with so many in form candidates? Just hope he doesn’t get shafted like Dave Rennie and to a lesser extent Deans.
7 Go to commentsAlways reluctant to blame a coach when losses rack up, but Penney must go. The backline is dysfunctional and the coach must carry the can. No cohesion, no idea and in many cases, minimal skill. The trains out of Roma St depart faster than the ball from Crusaders’ set pieces. Wouldn’t be surprised if the forwards went on strike.
3 Go to commentsAdding to earlier comment. Cullen Grace has been playing great at no6. Lio-Willie , who was on fire a few weeks ago, had a bad game. I think Cullen should have been moved to 8 earlier, Dominic Gardiner on earlier. Feel for Quinten Strange , put in a big shift .
7 Go to commentsWe dominated the scrums Ben Curry was all over pitch again .Surely James Harper got to be one of best English tightheads
1 Go to commentsRoos is a better option at 6 than 8 for the boks. Needs to work on his windgat though.
1 Go to commentsThe Sharks’ 2nd team maybe?
1 Go to comments‘radical’
1 Go to commentsCome back to Christchurch Robbie, please!
1 Go to commentsI think there is zero chance Sam Cane will be selected for another Test. There is simply no point except sentimentality. Razor is not sentimental- ask Wyatt Crocket. Razor is a ruthless selector
5 Go to comments