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Crusaders name fourth captain of the season against Chiefs
2024 has been anything but smooth sailing for the Crusaders, but if there was a time and place to snap a record-losing streak and kickstart a season renaissance, at home against the Chiefs would be it.
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This week, halfback Mitch Drummond will don the captain’s armband as the fourth player to lead the defending champs this season; following Scott Barrett, David Havili and Tom Christie.
There’s plenty of pressure on the stalwart nine to inspire a performance against the Chiefs, with his side still in search of their first win of the post-Scott Robertson era.
“I’ve had the opportunity to lead the team out twice before,” Drummond said. “Once was in my 100th game and once was when I was Crusader for the Day when I was five years old, so for it to go full circle like that, it’s pretty awesome.”
Drummond will be joined in the halves by last week’s Crusaders Man of the Match Riley Hohepa, while Rivez Reihana will return to action off the bench.
Some experience has been injected into the backline in the form of returning outside back Johnny McNicholl, who will start on the left wing with youngster Macca Springer moved to the bench.
In the absence of David Havili, fellow All Black midfielder Dallas McLeod will start in the No. 12 jersey and partner Levi Aumua.
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Having impressed off the bench against the Blues, flanker Corey Kellow gets an opportunity in the starting XV, replacing Dominic Gardiner in the No. 6 jersey. Gardiner will look to provide impact as the reserve lock.
“We’re focused on Friday night, it’s a new opportunity and we’re digging deep,” said under-pressure Crusaders Head Coach Rob Penney.
“We’ve got a really good group here, we’ve got trust in them and our job as coaches is to provide confidence for them and the belief that they can get the job done.”
Crusaders team to face the Chiefs
1. George Bower
2. George Bell
3. Fletcher Newell
4. Quinten Strange
5. Jamie Hannah
6. Corey Kellow
7. Tom Christie
8. Cullen Grace
9. Mitch Drummond
10. Riley Hohepa
11. Johnny McNicholl
12. Dallas McLeod
13. Levi Aumua
14. Sevu Reece
15. Chay Fihaki
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RESERVES:
16. James Mullen
17. Kershawl Sykes-Martin
18. Owen Franks
19. Dominic Gardiner
20. Fletcher Anderson
21. Noah Hotham
21. Rivez Reihana
23. Macca Springer
Comments on RugbyPass
Bit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
35 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
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