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Crusaders name new-look side to take on Moana Pasifika

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

After beating the Blues in Christchurch last weekend, the Crusaders have made 11 changes to their starting side to take on Moana Pasifika on Friday.

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The Crusaders are missing a number of All Blacks, including the likes of Codie Taylor, Richie Mo’unga, Leicester Fainga’anuku and Braydon Ennor.

But they aren’t the defending champions for no reason. This team still packs plenty of punch, and will be raring to go ahead of the Crusaders’ first-ever trip to Mt Smart Stadium.

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Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Brodie McAlister and the in-form Tamaiti Williams make up the Crusaders front-row this week, which looks a bit different to their trio last time out.

Scott Barrett with captain the team once again in round 13, and is set to pack down in the second row alongside Zach Gallagher.

Sione Havili Talitui and Corey Kellow will line up on the flanks, while Cullen Grace retains his spot in the No. 8 jersey.

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has named an intriguing halves combination this week, with rising star Noah Hotham set to start at halfback alongside flyhalf Fergus Burke.

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Dallas McLeod and Jack Goodhue will combine in the midfield, while Macca Springer and Chay Fihaki have been given the nod to start on the left and right wings.

Following a successful return to Super Rugby Pacific a couple of weeks ago, All Black Will Jordan will run out in the No. 15 jersey again on Friday.

Crusaders team to take on Moana Pasifika

  1. Kershawl Sykes-Martin
  2. Brodie McAlister
  3. Tamaiti Williams
  4. Scott Barrett (c)
  5. Zach Gallagher
  6. Sione Havili Talitui
  7. Corey Kellow
  8. Cullen Grace
  9. Noah Hotham
  10. Fergus Burke
  11. Macca Springer
  12. Dallas McLeod
  13. Jack Goodhue
  14. Chay Fihaki
  15. Will Jordan

Replacements:

  1. Ioane Moananu
  2. Andrew Turner
  3. Seb Calder
  4. Dom Calder
  5. Christian Lio-Willie
  6. Mitchell Drummond
  7. Taha Kemara
  8. Wil Gualter
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Spew_81 28 minutes ago
Commentator's reason for backing Billy Proctor-Barrett combination in the AB's

Yes, Tupaea is playing well. But that is at Super Rugby level. David Havili also plays well at Super Rugby level; but he hasn’t been able to carry that form to internationals. Tupaea is in a similar category to Havili, a good all around player, but lacks the explosive pace to be a dominant international 12.


Part of the issue is that defenses in Super Rugby aren’t quite as good and aggressive as the northern/Springbok style rush defenses. The pressure test isn’t the same. Players can flourish in Super Rugby, but get suffocated in internationals as they are not used to northern/Springbok style rush defenses.


The All Black backline hasn’t been consistently good since 2015. They’ve had some great games e.g. the RWC 2019 quarter final. But they’ve lacked the penetration and distribution to unlock the back three and/or getting the offloading game going consistently. As good as Sonny Bill Williams was, after he did his Achilles he didn’t have the explosive pace Nonu had.


The All Blacks need a Ma’a Nonu 2.0 player at 12. They need a 12 who can: break through defenses, is fast enough that they can beat the cover over 40-50 meters, and can offload. They also need a 13 that can pass.


The player who has that at 12, who is also eligible for the All Blacks, is Tavatavanawai. He has the aggression and pace of a Nonu 2.0 type player, but is a bit raw at 12 - worth a shot though.


I suggested that Fainga'anuku could be awesome at 12 as he was mentioned in the comment I was replying to.


But I’d give Tavatavanawai a shot at 12 and put J Barrett at 13. J Barrett has all the skills of a 13, and he can distribute - which the biggest missing piece in the All Blacks backline (R Ioane on the bench, covering 11, 13, and 14).

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