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Defending champions the Crusaders will be out for revenge in round two as they take on rivals the Highlanders in the opening match of Super Round at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.
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All 12 Super Rugby teams will play at the one venue across the next three nights, starting with the highly anticipated South Island blockbuster.
Ahead of the new Super Rugby Pacific season, the Crusaders were heavily favoured to claim yet another title under coach Scott Robertson.
After winning six titles in as many years, few would dare bet against the Super Rugby powerhouse – although rival rivals would’ve optimistically hoped for change.
Playing the Chiefs in their first New Zealand derby of the year last Friday, the legendary franchise raced out to a 10-nil lead at home.
But that’s when disaster struck.
Led by star playmaker Damian McKenzie and All Blacks centurion Brodie Retallick, the Chiefs went on to claim a 31-10 win at Christchurch’s Orangetheory Stadium.
Eager to bounce back, the Crusaders have named a strong side for their second consecutive Friday night clash.
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All Blacks great Sam Whitelock has been named to return after missing last weekend’s opener because of a concussion.
“It’s great to have him back around the group,” Scott Robertson said in a statement.
“14 years’ experience – we all know how important he is for us.”
Utility back David Havili is the major positional change in the backline, having moved from fullback to inside centre. Havili will partner Jack Goodhue in the midfield.
As for their opponents, they also have a point to prove tonight. The Highlanders started their season with a disastrous 60-20 loss at home to the Blues.
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The team from the south of New Zealand have made nine changes to their starting XV for round two, including a change at flyhalf. Former England playmaker Freddie Burns is set to start his first match at Super Rugby level.
In the other match tonight, the Hurricanes are set to play their second Australian derby of the season against home side the Melbourne Rebels.
The Hurricanes recovered from a slow start against the Queensland Reds last week, as they went on to register an emphatic 47-13 opening round win.
As for the Rebels, they’ll be looking to bounce back from a thrilling loss to the Western Force in Perth on Saturday evening.
Rising star Carter Gordon was among the standouts during the first-half, but the visitors couldn’t quite hold on for the win.
Instead, former All Blacks second-rower Jeremy Thrush completed a fairytale return to Super Rugby after unretiring ahead of the match. Thrush scored what ended up being the match winner inside the final 10 minutes – as the Rebels were left to rue what could’ve been.
RugbyPass will be keeping you updated on all the latest action throughout the night, which you can follow below.
DAY ONE RESULTS
Crusaders 52-15 Highlanders
Rebels 33 – 39 Hurricanes
Comments on RugbyPass
The 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
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 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.
10 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.
39 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
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 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
39 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.
39 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.
39 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.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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