Crusaders get new captain for Western Force hit-out

The Crusaders are in Western Australia to face the Force without a handful of their top players, leading to coach Rob Penney appointing a new captain for the game.

With David Havili, Will Jordan, Codie Taylor, Ethan Blackadder and Scott Barrett all unavailable for the match, it will be Christian Lio-Willie who leads the Crusaders in round 10.

The 27-year-old is in his fourth season with the club, having quickly established himself as the club’s premier No.8 and earned his All Blacks debut in the team’s first Test of 2025.

“First of all, he plays like a leader,” head coach Rob Penney said of his new captain, who has previously led the team in brief stints during games but never from the outset of a match.

“He leads from the front. His actions are classic Crusader-like. He works hard, is tough, has explosiveness and the ability to break the line and change momentum. But it’s also behind the scenes. He’s a genuine, lovely man, and the boys love playing for him.”

Lio-Willie, who grew up in Auckland before studying dentistry at Otago University, spoke on what it meant to stand in for David Havili while the midfielder goes through concussion protocol.

“It’s huge. It wasn’t in the plan or anything with my vision, but I know the responsibility and the legacy that comes with it, and I’m pretty excited, to be honest,” Lio-Willie said.

“It hasn’t really hit me fully yet, but I know I’ve got my job at hand, and I’ve got to lead myself first before I lead others.

“I’ve had great examples first-hand with Davey and the way he leads. That’s the standard I strive to.”

Elsewhere in the squad, Macca Springer has returned from injury to make his season debut, starting on the left wing after emerging from the 2025 NPC season as one of the form wingers. That selection sees Sevu Reece move to an impact role.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

31 - 25

19 - 15

19 - 14

32 - 15

17 - 20

49 - 12

52 - 31

47 - 14

36 - 32

36 - 20

4

Wins

4

3

Streak

1

15

Tries Scored

29

1

Points Difference

37

2/5

First Try

2/5

3/5

First Points

1/5

2/5

Race To 10 Points

3/5

Crusaders team to face the Force

1. Finlay Brewis
2. George Bell
3. Seb Calder
4. Tahlor Cahill
5. Jamie Hannah
6. Dom Gardiner
7. Johnny Lee
8. Christian Lio?Willie (C)
9. Louie Chapman
10. Taha Kemara
11. Macca Springer
12. Dallas McLeod (VC)
13. Leicester Fainga’anuku
14. Chay Fihaki
15. Johnny McNicholl

Reserves

16. Manumaua Letiu
17. George Bower
18. Kershawl Sykes-Martin
19. Will Tucker
20. Corey Kellow
21. Noah Hotham
22. Rivez Reihana
23. Sevu Reece

Injury list

Kyle PRESTON: Knee, 1-2 weeks
Ethan BLACKADDER, Calf, 1-2 weeks
Braydon ENNOR: Hamstring, 2-4 weeks
Liam JACK:  Hamstring, 2-4 weeks
Will JORDAN: Calf, 3-5 weeks
David HAVILI: Concussion, GRTP (Graduated Return to Play)
Aki TUIVAILALA: Concussion, GRTP (Graduated Return to Play)
Codie TAYLOR: Hamstring, Unclear – awaiting imaging
Cullen GRACE:  Knee, Unclear
James WHITE: Shoulder, out for the season
Tamaiti WILLIAMS, Discitis, out for the season