New-look pack for Crusaders
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders have made some minor alterations for their crunch Super Rugby Aotearoa match against Blues on Sunday.
The defending champions made some changes in the forward pack.
Blindside flank Ethan Blackadder (concussion) and No.8 Cullen Grace (ribs) return from injury to form a new-look loose forward trio that also features Sione Havili Talitui, who comes into the side in place of Tom Christie, who has suffered a dislocated shoulder.
All Blacks loosehead prop Joe Moody reclaims his place in the starting front row, swapping places with George Bower who has been named on the bench.
He is joined by three other new faces – injury returnee Oli Jager, last week’s starting No. 8 Whetu Douglas and one-test All Blacks scrumhalf Mitchell Drummond – in the reserves.
*Article continues below…
Meanwhile, Crusaders scrumhalf Bryn Hall will make his 100th Super Rugby appearance against his former side, the Blues at Eden Park.
The 32-year-old has been named to start in the No. 9 jersey for the heavyweight battle between the two title frontrunners in what will be a full-circle moment in his playing career.
Hall started his time in Super Rugby with the Blues in 2013 and went on to make 32 appearances for the Auckland-based franchise before moving south to the Crusaders ahead of the 2017 season.
The five-cap Maori All Black has since become a regular starter at the Crusaders, playing a key role in all four of the Christchurch-based franchise’s title-winning seasons following his arrival at Orangetheory Stadium.
Hall started in all three of his side’s grand final victories over the Lions in 2017 and 2018 as well as their 2019 win over the Jaguares.
He also started in his side’s win over the Highlanders to secure the inaugural Super Rugby Aotearoa title last year and has created a formidable halves partnership with star playmaker Richie Mo’unga.
The pair will again run out at No. 9 and No. 10 this weekend as part of an unchanged starting backline that features five All Blacks.
Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 David Havili, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Cullen Grace, 7 Sione Havili Talitui, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 George Bower, 18 Oli Jager, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Fergus Burke, 23 Dallas McLeod
Date: Sunday, March 21
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 15.35 (02.35 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Mike Fraser & James Doleman
TMO: Brendon Pickerill
