Crusaders cast the net wide
Amidst the polar blast that is hitting New Zealand the Crusaders will head to Levin to face the Hurricanes in a non-competition friendly.
The game will see coach Todd Blackadder give a number of his wider training group players a run – especially in the forward pack.
However, the backline has a familiar look to it.
Three club players who have showed form this season have had the call up as injury cover and make it onto the bench.
They are Matt Holloway and Matt Symons from High School Old Boys and Marcel Cumming-Toone from New Brighton.
Blackadder said he is pleased to be playing the Hurricanes during the June test window.
This non-competition match will provide both teams game time before heading back into the Super Rugby season next week.
The Crusaders are currently sitting sixth on the table and have three round robin matches left to play.
All three games are against New Zealand conference counterparts – kicking off with the Southern Derby in Dunedin against the Highlanders next Saturday, June 29.
"It is really important to keep our focus and momentum during this three week break," Blackadder said.
"Playing the Hurricanes will allow us to keep on top of our game and be fully prepared for the final three rounds of Super Rugby games," Blackadder added.
The Crusaders have met the Hurricanes twice this season.
Early in the year in Timaru the two played a pre-season match, where the Canes came out on top by one point.
That winning margin was repeated in Wellington on March 8 in their first competition encounter.
Looking ahead, the Crusaders will host their second derby match in Christchurch during the final round of the competition on Friday, July 12.
Crusaders: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Adam Whitelock, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Tom Taylor, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Shane Christie, 6 George Whitelock (captain), 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Jimmy Tupou, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements – from: Matt Holloway, Marcel Cumming-Toone, Adrian Barone, Jordan Taufua, Andy Ellis, Tyler Bleyendaal, Telusa Veianu, Kieron Fonotia, Joel Everson, Matt Symons.]
Date: Friday, June 21
Venue: Levin Domain, Levin
Kick-off: 18.45 (06.45 GMT
Referee: TBC
