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Crusaders forced to turn to wider training group for uncapped 10

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 14: Assistant Coach Ryan Crotty and Rivez Reihana of the Crusaders (L-R) chat during the round five Super Rugby match between Crusaders and Highlanders at Apollo Projects Stadium, on March 14, 2026, in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
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The Crusaders have turned to their wider training group for reinforcements as injuries hit the club’s playmaking stocks hard, meaning two debuts are on the cards against Moana Pasifika.

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With Rivez Reihana and Taha Kemara both sidelined after concussions, and James White done for the season with a shoulder injury, it will be uncapped 22-year-old Cooper Grant who lines up at 10 for the reigning champions. The Tasman playmaker may not be the only debutant for the Crusaders, with Kurtis Macdonald named in the No.23 jersey.

“The doctor has indicated Rivez has delayed concussion, so we’ve done the right thing and removed him from the game, and now Cooper’s got an opportunity. He’s played great for the Development XV, and it’s wonderful for him to step up,” Crusaders head coach Rob Penney said.

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“He’s got a very confident demeanour. He uses his voice really well, and he’s got an outstanding skill set. He’s new to this level, but he’s surrounded by experience, and we’re confident he’ll have the right answers when the blowtorch comes on.”

The Crusaders will also celebrate All Blacks prop Fletcher Newell’s 50th game on Auckland’s North Shore.

“He doesn’t say a lot, but he works really hard at his craft and tries to get better every week,” Penney said of the front rower.

“To be around when he’s getting his 50th is a great honour because he’s one of the greats. He’s a terrific young man and a treasure for this organisation.”

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Elsewhere in the team, last week’s impressive debutant Johnny Lee has retained his place in the starting XV, Codie Taylor is rested, and Dallas McLeod comes in for the injured David Havili, with Will Jordan assuming captaincy in Havili’s absence.

“We’re going week by week. The aim is to back up a win with a win, build our consistency, prepare well, and hit the ground running. We haven’t had the quickest starts, so doing those things will make it very satisfying,” he says.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
1
Draws
0
Wins
4
Average Points scored
21
40
First try wins
100%
Home team wins
40%

Crusaders team to play Moana Pasifika

  1. Finlay Brewis
  2. George Bell
  3. Fletcher Newell
  4. Tahlor Cahill
  5. Jamie Hannah
  6. Ethan Blackadder (VC)
  7. Johnny Lee
  8. Christian Lio?Willie
  9. Noah Hotham
  10. Cooper Grant*
  11. Sevu Reece
  12. Dallas McLeod
  13. Braydon Ennor
  14. Chay Fihaki
  15. Will Jordan (C)

Reserves

16. Manumaua Letiu
17. George Bower
18. Seb Calder
19. Antonio Shalfoon
20. Xavier Saifoloi
21. Kyle Preston
22. Leicester Fainga’anuku
23. Kurtis Macdonald*

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Injury list

Kershawl SYKES-MARTIN: Hip, 2 weeks
Maloni KUNAWAVE:  Hamstring, 2-3 weeks
Cooper ROBERTS:  Stress fracture (fibula), 2-3 weeks
Dom GARDINER: Ankle/ knee, 2-3 weeks
Macca SPRINGER: Quad, 3-4 weeks
Johnny MCNICOLL: Hamstring, 3-4 weeks
David HAVILI: Heel, 3-4 weeks
Liam JACK:  Hamstring, 3-5 weeks
Taha KEMARA: Concussion, GRTP (Graduated Return to Play)
Aki TUIVAILALA: Concussion, GRTP (Graduated Return to Play)
Rivez REIHANA: Concussion, GRTP (Graduated Return to Play)
Cullen GRACE:  Knee, Unclear
James WHITE: Shoulder, out for the season

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3 Comments
G
GP 44 days ago

Unlike another person in this section, I think Will Jordan is the logical captain with David Havili out.He has grown as a leader in the Crusaders big time since his return in 2025. Captain’s can only do so much where refs are concerned. Justin Marshall mentioned him as a possible AB captain. Johnny Lee had to be retained at 7 with his 2 try performance last week. Good to see Jamie Hannah back. As Rob Penney said it will be great to see Fletcher Newell bring up his 50th game for the Crusaders. He is everything Rob says he is on and off the field.Hopefully Oli Mathis gets a crack, big future and I was impressed with his combo with Johnny Lee and Ethan Blackadder in the pre season game in Timaru against the Highlanders.

I
Icefarrow 45 days ago

Why is Jordan still captain? He was awful at it last week, doesn’t know how to win over a referee at all.

J
JW 45 days ago

Because you can’t get better without practice.

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