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Hat-trick hero promoted for Crusaders in team to play Chiefs
By Ned Lester
The Crusaders have made minor changes to the team that beat the Hurricanes in round one ahead of their trip to Hamilton to face the Chiefs in round two.
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All Black Noah Hotham has been ruled out of the game with an ankle sprain, making way for rookie Kyle Preston who scored three tries in his debut last Friday.
Preston will join Waikato native Taha Kemara in the halves. The young playmaker lining up as the starting No. 10 for the first time in his hometown at Super Rugby level.
“I think I’ve got about 20 tickets for the game; it’s going to be cool to play in front of my family and against a few of my mates – but it’s probably not home at the moment. Home is Christchurch right now, ” Kemara said.
While only one week into the new season, Crusaders head coach Rob Penney was happy to label the Chiefs as the team to beat after their big win over the Blues in Auckland in round one.
“Going up to their home ground we are excited for the opportunity and it’s the best against the best of the country at the moment.”
Crusaders team to face Chiefs
- Tamaiti Williams
- Ioane Moananu
- Fletcher Newell
- Scott Barrett
- Antonio Shalfoon
- Cullen Grace
- (VC) Ethan Blackadder
- Christian Lio-Willie
- Kyle Preston
- Taha Kemara
- Sevu Reece
- (C) David Havili
- Levi Aumua
- Chay Fihaki
- (VC) Will Jordan
Reserves
- Manumaua Letiu
- George Bower
- Sam Matenga
- Tahlor Cahill
- Corey Kellow
- Mitchell Drummond
- James O’Connor
- Dallas McLeod
Injury status
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Codie TAYLOR, Hamstring, 2 weeks
Rivez REIHANA, Ankle, 2-3 weeks
Seb CALDER, AC Joint, 2-3 weeks
Quin STRANGE, Pec/Hamstring, 4 weeks
Dom GARDINER, Hamstring, 4-6 weeks
Jamie HANNAH, Shoulder (surgery), 4 weeks
Aki TUIVAILALA, Finger (surgery), 4 weeks
Johnny McNICHOLL, Hamstring, 4-6 weeks
Noah HOTHAM, Ankle, Unclear currently
Kershawl SYKES-MARTIN, Medial ligament (knee), 5-6 weeks
Braydon ENNOR, Wrist (surgery), Unclear currently
George BELL, Planter plate (foot), 16-20 weeks
Finaly BREWIS, Shoulder (surgery), Out for the season
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Kyle Preston made one of the most memorable debuts in Super Rugby history with the Crusaders last Friday. 3 tries, brilliant . Hooker Ioane Moananu really played well at hooker , as did his debuting replacement, Letia. Taha Kemara looks great and James O’Connor did well when he came. Same goes for Dallas McLeod. Levi Aumua is fitter and hence better. David Havili lead the team around so well. Then there is Will Jordan. Looking forward to Codie Taylor and Braydon Ennor, others being back.
Haha Penney happy to ride the wave of a win at the right end of the season!
I gotta say here and in the post match interview last week he seemed like the most ungenuine person and gloater in SR history. He sounded like an Irish panelist from 2022.
That’s a pretty tough injury list to deal with, again.
You are completely misrepresenting Rob Penney’s persona. Sounds more like Clayton McMillan.
Such composure from the Crusader newbies. Round One was a blinder across the entire competition. Looking forward to Round 2
Moananu and Preston were a class above last week.