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Rob Penney shifts All Blacks duo into starting XV for Chiefs showdown
By Henry Lee
Crusaders head coach Rob Penney has made the decision to shift All Blacks duo Leicester Fainga’anuku and Tamaiti Williams into the starting lineup for their important matchup against the Chiefs this weekend.
The duo replace Braydon Ennor and Finlay Brewis, who both miss out on the matchday 23 completely.
The Crusaders will be looking to bounce back from their two losses to start the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, and their first defeat against the Brumbies in Christchurch for 26 years.
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Experienced All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor drops out of the match day 23, after picking up a rib injury against the Brumbies during the second half.
Jamie Hannah and Antonio Shalfoon continue in the second row, while the loose-forward trio of Dom Gardiner, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie is unchanged.
Taha Kemara will start once again at first-five with Rivez Reihana still recovering from an adductor injury that kept him out of their first home game of the season.
The 61-year-old head coach explained his team are expecting the Chiefs to be a challenging opponent, one with quality all around the park.
“We’re better than what we showed last week, and this team reflects the confidence we have in the players to put things right,” Penney said.
“Across the board the Chiefs are dangerous on attack and they’re really physical and dangerous in defence.
“We can’t focus on one element too much because we’ll end up getting stung in another area. Any team that beats the Chiefs have to have a complete performance.”
Crusaders team to face the Chiefs:
- Tamaiti Williams
- George Bell
- Fletcher Newell
- Antonio Shalfoon
- Jamie Hannah
- Dom Gardiner
- Ethan Blackadder
- Christian Lio?Willie
- Noah Hotham
- Taha Kemara
- Sevu Reece
- David Havili (C)
- Leicester Fainga’anuku
- Chay Fihaki
- Will Jordan
Reserves: 16. Manumaua Letiu 17. George Bower 18. Seb Calder 19. Tahlor Cahill 20. Corey Kellow 21. Louie Chapman 22. James White 23. Dallas McLeod
Players unavailable for selection due to injury:
Johnny MCNICHOLL: Hamstring, 2 weeks
Liam JACK: Hamstring, 4-6 weeks
Maloni KUNAWAVE: Hamstring, 4-6 weeks
Cooper ROBERTS: Stress fracture (fibula), 6-8 weeks
Cullen GRACE: Knee, Unclear
Macca SPRINGER: Quad, Unclear
Mitch DRUMMOND: Concussion, Unclear
Rivez REIHANA: Adductor, Unclear
Codie TAYLOR: Ribs, Unclear
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