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Crusaders name nine All Blacks in starting team to play Highlanders
The Crusaders have rolled out the big guns for their Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Friday.
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The Christchurch-based franchise have named nine All Blacks in their starting lineup to square off against their South Island neighbours, with head coach Scott Robertson making only two changes to his run-on XV.
At halfback, one-test international Mitchell Drummond is promoted from the bench to replace Bryn Hall, while Sevu Reece slots onto the right wing in place of George Bridge, who joins Hall in the reserves.
Drummond and Reece are joined by captain Scott Barrett, vice-captain David Havili, Sam Whitelock, Will Jordan, Joe Moody, Braydon Ennor and Cullen Grace as the All Blacks in the side’s starting team.
In Los Pumas star Pablo Matera, who has been named to start at blindside flanker, the Crusaders have even more international experience in their forward pack.
The demotion of Bridge to the bench is a nod to last week’s efforts of left wing Leicester Fainga’anuku, who starred in his side’s season-opening 42-32 win over the Hurricanes by scoring a hat-trick of tries.
Another who impressed in that match, young first-five Fergus Burke, has also been retained in the No 10 jersey following his standout display in the absence of star playmaker Richie Mo’unga.
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Only one further alteration has been made on the bench, with young loose forward Corey Kellow in line to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut after replacing Mitchell Dunshea in the No 20 jersey.
The Crusaders are eyeing up a second successive win to start their 2022 campaign, but Robertson was adamant his men will be made to work for their win after they were stunned by the Highlanders in their most recent meeting last April.
“We know how dangerous the Highlanders can be,” Robertson said in a statement.
“We only have to look back at our last encounter with them to appreciate the challenge in front of us on Friday night, but we’ve prepared well and we’re ready for it.
“It’s a home game for the Highlanders but it’s going to be a pretty unique experience for both teams, without the noise and energy of the zoo, filling the stadium.
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“In saying that, they’re always special matches between these two sides, and I’m sure this contest under the roof will be no different.”
Kick-off for Friday’s match is scheduled for 7:05pm.
Crusaders team to play the Highlanders
1. Joe Moody
2. Brodie McAlister
3. Oli Jager
4. Scott Barrett (c)
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Pablo Matera
7. Tom Christie
8. Cullen Grace
9. Mitchell Drummond
10. Fergus Burke
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku
12. David Havili (vc)
13. Braydon Ennor
14. Sevu Reece
15. Will Jordan
Reserves:
16. Shilo Klein
17. George Bower
18. Tamaiti Williams
19. Quentin Strange
20. Corey Kellow*
21. Bryn Hall
22. Simon Hickey
23. George Bridge
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments