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Scott Barrett returns for experimental Crusaders against Rebels

By Ned Lester
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

The Crusaders are continuing to experiment with their lineup this week as they host the fourth-place Rebels in Christchurch, but are boosted by the return of two of their most experienced players.

Captain Scott Barrett is back in his familiar No. 4 jersey, no doubt hoping to give his team the edge they’ve been lacking this year.

All Black David Havili has been named in the No. 22 jersey for the contest, having last played against the Blues in round five.

There’s a big change-up in the loose forwards, with Tom Christie absent from the team sheet, leaving Ethan Blackadder to shift to the openside flank and Cullen Grace moving to the blindside, allowing Christian Lio-Willie to retain the No. 8 jersey.

There’s a new starting halves combination too. Mitch Drummond is back in the No. 9 jersey with Rivez Reihana getting the starting nod at first five-eighth.

Young speedster Heremaia Murray lands himself a start on the left wing and Johnny McNicholl slots into fullback, moving Chay Fihaki to the bench.

Brodie McAlister retains his position in the starting unit and is joined by George Bower and Fletcher Newell, who provided impact off the bench last week.

Related

Crusaders team to face the Rebels 

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  1. George Bower
  2. Brodie McAlister
  3. Fletcher Newell
  4. Scott Barrett
  5. Quinten Strange
  6. Cullen Grace
  7. Ethan Blackadder
  8. Christian Lio-Willie
  9. Mitch Drummond
  10. Rivez Reihana
  11. Heremaia Murray
  12. Dallas McLeod
  13. Levi Aumua
  14. Sevu Reece
  15. Johnny McNicholl

RESERVES: 

16. George Bell
17. Joe Moody
18. Owen Franks
19. Jamie Hannah
20. Corey Kellow
21. Noah Hotham
22. David Havili
23. Chay Fihaki

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Comments

1 Comment
j
john 146 days ago

Except 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

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GS 30 minutes ago
Bundee Aki sends new reminder to All Blacks he's the one that got away

Interestingly, your dishonesty in not being truthful reflects on you. As explained to you and probably by many other people in the past, NZ is a multi-cultural country with a large percentage of the population being of Polynesian heritage.


Let me share a personal story that illustrates this. My cousin, a good Kiwi girl, fell in love and married a Samoan over 40 years ago. They started a family, and now their daughter is about to start her own.


Now, when the child is older, he/she can choose to play for ABs or Samoa—ABs via birth and Samoa via Grandparents. It is probably very likely, as the husband is a former AB, so a professional rugby career is a distinct possibility.


If he plays for ABs - given your state of mind, NZ has stolen him from Samoa...


There is natural immigration between NZ and the Islands. They are part of our community, and kids do come down on rugby scholarships to learn rugby and get an education.


On the other hand, Ireland specifically targeted adult professional rugby players, who they termed "project players," to cap them for Ireland. Among those numbers are people like Jarrod Payne, Aki, Lowe, CJ Stander, etc.


This "project "was run and funded by the IRFU to directly assist the Irish rugby team in addressing depth issues.


20% of the Irish run on team vs NZ at the WC, were in effect "project players" - maybe Jamieson GP is little different as don't think he was deliberately targeted unlike Aki/Lowe.


That you can honestly compare natural immigration between Islands and the Pacific, where the cultural makeup is similar vs. a targeted project set up by the IRFU, shows just how inherently dishonest you are.


The foolish thing about it is it embarrasses the Irish team when it's not necessary. As shown by the last test against the Boks, Ireland didn't need these project players to win, as they are a quality side without those players.


Instead, all they have done is give people the ability to detract from any achievements by pointing out the Irish brought their way to success.

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