Crusaders bring in two debutants
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Scott Robertson has named his Crusaders team to face the Waratahs at Trafalgar Park, and it includes two Super Rugby debutants.
The 21-year-old Tom Christie has been named to start at openside flank in place of Billy Harmon, who injured his knee during the Crusaders first pre-season match in Ashburton.
Meanwhile, Cullen Grace, the youngest player of any in the New Zealand Super Rugby squads at just 20 years old, has been named in the reserves.
Round One also sees the return of All Blacks Scott Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Jack Goodhue, Codie Taylor and Sevu Reece to the Crusaders side, and Barrett will run out for the first time as captain. Taylor and David Havili have been named vice-captains of the side for 2020.
Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 Leicester Faingaanuku, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Mitchell Dunshea, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Oliver Jager, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Isi Tu’ungafasi, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Cullen Grace, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Sevu Reece.
Date: Saturday, February 1
Venue: Trafalgar Park, Nelson
Kick-off: 19.05 (17.05 AEDT; 06.05 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Dan Waenga (New Zealand)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
