Crusaders name rookie loose forward to start against the Highlanders

The Crusaders have made a back row re-shuffle for their trip to face the Highlanders as they look to continue their hot form after beating the Blues on the buzzer last week.

Riding a three-game winning streak, the Crusaders travel to Dunedin with confidence after surging to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder.

21-year-old Xavier Saifoloi will start at blindside next to the experience of Tom Christie and Christian Lio-Willie. All Black loose forward Ethan Blackadder has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. 

The 6’5 rookie will start his first Super game after two appearances off the bench so far in his debut season.

Last week’s standout prop Tamaiti Williams moves to the bench with George Bower starting at loosehead.

In the midfield Dallas McLeod starts at No.13 alongside David Havili, with Sevu Reece moving to the right wing.

Fixture

Super Rugby Pacific

Highlanders

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Full-time

Crusaders

All Stats and Data

The Crusaders are looking to avoid back-to-back defeats to the Highlanders for the first time since 2016 as they prepare for the first Southern Derby of the year.

“It was a tough gig on Friday night against the Blues – they were impressive, and we had to dig deep – we’re expecting no different this week as we head down to the Highlanders,” Penney says. 

“They’ll be hurting, and they’ll be up for red and black travelling south because they always are.” 

Crusaders team to face the Highlanders:

1. George Bower
2. Codie Taylor (vc)
3. Fletcher Newell
4. Scott Barrett
5. Jamie Hannah
6. Xavier Saifoloi
7. Tom Christie
8. Christian Lio-Willie
9. Noah Hotham
10. Taha Kemara
11. Macca Springer
12. David Havili (c)
13. Dallas McLeod
14. Sevu Reece
15. Will Jordan (vc)

Impact

16. Ioane Moananu
17. Tamaiti Williams
18. Kershawl Sykes-Martin
19. Tahlor Cahill
20. Corey Kellow
21. Kyle Preston
22. Rivez Reihana
23. Chay Fihaki