The Crusaders have the luxury of consistency as they further their pursuit of another title. But this week, something of a wildcard Blues side stand in their way.
While it was just three weeks ago the Crusaders comfortably dismissed the Blues in Auckland, their famed rivals have strung together some strong wins since and are threatening to break back into the kind of form that saw them lift the Super Rugby Pacific trophy a season ago.
“They’ve got themselves into a position where they’re still in control of their own destiny, so it’ll be another good match-up,” Crusaders head Coach Rob Penney said ahead of the clash.
The return of Codie Taylor from a one-week stand down with concussion is the more notable of just two changes to the starting XV. The other being the return of Antonio Shalfoon in the second row.
Both men dropped from the starting unit, Ioane Moananu and Jamie Hannah, have been named on the bench.
“Ioane has proved he is worthy of a place in this team and can regularly hold down his place. He’s a well-respected member of the team and his lineout throwing is classy, his scrummaging is impressive, and he always manages to get the crowd off their seats at games.”
Crusaders team to play the Blues
- Tamaiti Williams
- Codie Taylor
- Fletcher Newell
- Scott Barrett
- Antonio Shalfoon
- Cullen Grace
- (VC) Ethan Blackadder
- Christian Lio-Willie
- Noah Hotham
- Taha Kemara
- Sevu Reece
- (C) David Havili
- Levi Aumua
- Chay Fihaki
- (VC) Will Jordan
Impact
- Ioane Moananu
- George Bower
- Kershawl Sykes-Martin
- Jamie Hannah
- Corey Kellow
- Kyle Preston
- James O’Connor
- Macca Springer
