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Scott Barrett granted rest exemption as Crusaders name team for Reds clash
Crusaders captain Scott Barrett will lead the team again this week after being granted an exemption from New Zealand Rugby’s resting protocols.
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According to the policy, All Blacks player will not be able to play in more than five Super Rugby Pacific match in a row. But there’s an exception to every rule.
Barrett will run out in the No. 4 jersey again this week after being granted an exemption due to the Crusaders’ staggering injury count.
The skipper will partner rising star Dom Gardiner in the second row when the Crusaders take on the Reds in Brisbane on Friday night.
Title holders the Crusaders have made four changes to their starting XV ahead of their clash with the Reds, including Gardiner in the second row.
Sione Havili Talitui has shifted to blindside flanker, while Christian Lio-Willie has been promoted to the starting side at No. 8.
As for the backline, there is only one change – and it’s an interesting one.
Rising star Noah Hotham will run out in the Crusaders’ starting XV for the first time on Friday night after being named at halfback.
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“It’s a great chance to grow the young fella,” coach Scott Robertson said in a statement.
“He’s been superb at training and every time he’s had an opportunity on the field, and we believe this game is the one for him.”
Hotham will partner Super Rugby veteran Richie Mo’unga in the halves, while the rest of the backline remains unchanged. Dallas McLeod and Braydon Ennor will line up in the midfield again this week.
In-form winger Leicester Fainga’anuku will start on the left edge, while Pepesana Patafilo will run out in the No. 14 jersey. Fergus Burke has also retained his place at fullback.
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The Crusaders’ injury toll went from bad to worse on Wednesday as coach Scott Robertson confirmed that Sevu Reece would miss the rest of the season. All Blacks Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder, Jack Goodhue, David Havili and Sam Whitelock have also been sidelined due to injury.
Crusaders team to take on Reds
- Joe Moody
- Codie Taylor
- Tamaiti Williams
- Scott Barrett (C)
- Dom Gardiner
- Sione Havili Talitui
- Tom Christie
- Christian Lio-Willie
- Noah Hotham
- Richie Mo’unga
- Leicester Fainga’anuku
- Dallas McLeod
- Braydon Ennor
- Pepesana Patafilo
- Fergus Burke
Replacements:
- Brodie McAlister
- George Bower
- Seb Calder
- Jamie Hannah
- Corey Kellow
- Willi Heinz
- Will Gualter
- Chay Fihaki
Comments on RugbyPass
This team does not beat the ABs sadly
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to comments