Crusaders name dual-XVs for warm-up match with Hurricanes

The Crusaders will kick off 2020 with their first pre-season game this Saturday, as they prepare to meet the Hurricanes in Ashburton.

Head Coach Scott Robertson has named Whetukamokamo Douglas and Mitchell Drummond as captains for this game, in a match that is set to provide the pre-season group with an opportunity for valuable game time ahead of the Crusaders first Super Rugby competition game on 1st February.

Two Crusaders sides have been named for this match; one for the first half and one for the second.

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Notably, All Blacks outside back Braydon Ennor will line up at centre in the first half alongside Canterbury team-mate Dallas McLeod.

Young Waikato and former Under 20 loose forward Samipeni Finau, who has been training with the Crusaders, has been named on the blindside flank. The last Waikato player that the Crusaders picked up during pre-season training, Sevu Reece, became an instant superstar for the Super Rugby champions.

The Ashburton District Council, in partnership with the Crusaders, have also launched an important initiative around this game, where $1 each for every ticket sold to the pre-season game will go towards helping promote and support mental health awareness and suicide prevention services.

Richie Mo'unga has been #SuperRugby's top first five over the last three years but that's been helped by the incredible pack at the @CrusadersRugby. He won't have that luxury in 2020, writes @TomVinicombe. https://t.co/MpDhMB0lAY

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 15, 2020

Kick-off in the Crusaders pre-season match against the Hurricanes is 4pm, Saturday 18 January, at Ashburton Showgrounds.

The game will be live-streamed on the Crusaders Facebook page from 3:45pm on Saturday.

Crusaders (first half): Will Jordan, Manasa Mataele, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Leicester Faingaanuku, Brett Cameron, Ereatara Enari, Whetukamokamo Douglas (c), Billy Harmon, Tom Sanders, Cullen Grace, Mitchell Dunshea, Oliver Jager, Brodie McAlister, Isi Tu’ungafasi.

Crusaders (second half): Dan Hollinshead, Fasi Fuatai, Inga Finau, Rameka Poihipi, Fergus Burke, Mitchell Drummond (c), Sione Havili, Tom Christie, Samipeni Finau, Alex Ainley, Ethan Roots, Michael Alaalatoa, Andrew Makalio, Harry Allan.

Reserves: George Bower, Conan O’Donnell, Luke Romano, Sam Darry, Isaiah Punivai, Chay Fihaki

– with Crusaders Rugby

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson was understandably disappointed after missing out on the head coaching role with the New Zealand national side: