Five changes for the Crusaders to play the Force

Crusaders head coach Rob Penney has made five changes to his team to play the Western Force at home in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon.

After an impressive 43-19 win over the Queensland Reds, they have decided to switch up their back row while All Black Braydon Ennor returns at centre.

Last week’s bench selection Corey Kellow has been moved to the starting side at blindside, replacing Cullen Grace, while Tom Christie returns to the team at openside replacing Ethan Blackadder, who is named in the reserves.

Fixture

Super Rugby Pacific

Crusaders

55 - 33

Full-time

Force

All Stats and Data

In other changes, young flyer Macca Springer gets the chance on the left wing to start.

“Tom’s [Christie] been a part of the Crusaders through a magnificent run of championship winning series and he epitomises a Crusader man’s values and with his work ethic,” says Penney. 

“We are very fortunate with the calibre of the backs that we have here, and Braydon [Ennor] is just another piece to the puzzle, he’s got some unique abilities which will be awesome for us this week,” says Penney.  

“Ball in play is consistently higher, it’s an awesome spectacle – Super Rugby Pacific has been wonderful this year, but the fatigue factor is massive. Listening to the All Blacks coming back in – they’re all commenting on how tough it is.

“The outcome of that has caused fatigue which causes more opportunities for attack.” 

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

4

Draws

0

Wins

1

Average Points scored

40

24

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

80%

Crusaders team to face the Force:    

1. Tamaiti Williams  
2. Codie Taylor  
3. Fletcher Newell  
4. Scott Barrett  
5. Antonio Shalfoon  
6. Corey Kellow 
7. Tom Christie 
8. Christian Lio-Willie  
9. Kyle Preston  
10. Taha Kemara  
11. Macca Springer 
12. David Havili  
13. Braydon Ennor 
14. Sevu Reece 
15. Will Jordan 

Impact 

16. Ioane Moananu
17. George Bower 
18. Seb Calder
19. Tahlor Cahill 
20. Ethan Blackadder
21. Mitchell Drummond 
22. James O’Connor 
23. Levi Aumua