Sevu Reece set for 100th as Crusaders push for home playoff game

The Crusaders have named a formidable team as they prepare to take on the Hurricanes at One New Zealand Stadium in what will be Sevu Reece’s 100th game.

Reece will bring up the milestone as the Crusaders attempt to leapfrog the Blues in third place to secure a home playoff, which if they succeed, will be against the Blues.

“Honestly, I just can’t find the words for it,” Reece says.

“This whole week I’ve been looking back to that Fijian kid who first came down to Christchurch just to train as injury cover. Getting the chance to play one game was a blessing in itself, and now getting to do it 100 times is just amazing.”

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Despite captain Scott Barrett unable to return to action and star fullback Will Jordan being put on ice for the season, the Crusaders have named as strong a starting team as possible, with a special night in the making for midfielder Cooper Roberts.

The Tasman centre has been named in the No.23 jersey for a potential debut for the club. The ex-New Zealand u20 rep was a starter for the team that came runners up at the World U20 Championship in 2025.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Roberts said.

“I was injured for most of the season, so to get this opportunity in the last round, under the roof, I’m pretty stoked and pretty grateful. I’ve never played in front of that many people before, so it’s going to be pretty cool.”

Elsewhere, the Crusaders will have a new openside with Leicester Fainga’anuku not named in the gameday 23.

Ethan Blackadder returns to the 7 jersey, alongside Dom Gardiner at 6 and Christian Lio-Willie at No.8 in the back row.

The Hurricanes have made sweeping changes to their team, but have named All Blacks Tyrel Lomax and Cam Roigard to return from injury in the starting side.

Crusaders team to face the Hurricanes:

1. George Bower
2. Codie Taylor (VC)
3. Fletcher Newell
4. Antonio Shalfoon
5. Jamie Hannah
6. Dom Gardiner
7. Ethan Blackadder
8. Christian Lio?Willie
9. Noah Hotham
10. Rivez Reihana
11. Sevu Reece
12. David Havili (c)
13. Dallas McLeod
14. Chay Fihaki
15. Johnny McNicholl

Reserves:
16. Manumaua Letiu
17. Finlay Brewis
18. Seb Calder
19. Liam Jack
20. Johnny Lee
21. Kyle Preston
22. Taha Kemara
23. Cooper Roberts*

*Possible debut