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Crusaders name formidable line up for the visiting Chiefs with 8 starting All Blacks
The Crusaders are back at home again on Saturday night, where they will host the Chiefs in Round 3 of Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa.
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Head Coach Scott Robertson has made a handful of changes to the team this week, following their bonus-point victory over the Hurricanes, and it includes the return of Mitchell Dunshea and Whetukamokamo Douglas to the match day 23.
In the front row, George Bower has replaced Joe Moody at loosehead prop, and in the loose forwards Sione Havili Talitui also moves from the reserves to the starting team this week. Ethan Blackadder is currently re-integrating into training following the head knock he sustained in the Hurricanes game.
There is a change in the midfield, with Vice-Captain David Havili moving in-field to second five-eighth, making way for Will Jordan to slot in at fullback. Dallas McLeod will provide cover on the bench.
Mitchell Dunshea and Whetukamokamo Douglas have been named in the reserves as lock and loose forward cover respectively, with both players having represented the Crusaders Development XV in recent weeks.
A moment’s silence will be observed by both teams prior to kick off, to show support for people affected by the March 15 attack of two years ago. It was not possible to mark this anniversary last year, due to Covid19.
The Crusaders will also acknowledge ?tautahi PRIDE Week at the game on Saturday night, supported by students from the University of Canterbury. Orangetheory Stadium will be illuminated in rainbow colours, and UC students will be wearing rainbow t-shirts in the West Stand, in support of PRIDE Week.
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Kick off in the Crusaders game against the Chiefs is 7:05pm, Saturday 13 March, at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch. The match will also be televised live on Sky Sport.
Crusaders team to play the Chiefs:
1. George Bower
2. Codie Taylor (VC)
3. Michael Alaalatoa
4. Scott Barrett (C)
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Sione Havili Talitui
7. Tom Christie
8. Cullen Grace
9. Mitchell Drummond
10. Richie Mo’unga
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku
12. David Havili (VC)
13. Jack Goodhue
14. Sevu Reece
15. Will Jordan
RESERVES:
16. Brodie McAlister
17. Joe Moody
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Mitchell Dunshea
20. Whetukamokamo Douglas
21. Bryn Hall
22. Fergus Burke
23. Dallas McLeod
Comments on RugbyPass
Brilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
4 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
4 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to comments