Under-fire duo to start for Crusaders against Blues
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has named his team to face the Blues in a Super Rugby Round 15 encounter in Christchurch on Saturday.
All Blacks George Bridge and Richie Mo’unga have retained their places in the Crusaders starting line-up despite an independent inquiry hanging over their heads after allegations that they were involved in inappropriate and offensive behaviour while on tour in South Africa.
READ: NZ Rugby formally probes abuse claims against Crusaders.
Meanwhile. all of the changes to the side this week are in the forward pack, including the return of Joe Moody at loosehead prop, shifting George Bower to the reserves.
At hooker, Andrew Makalio will start this game in place of Codie Taylor, and Brodie McAlister is set to make his Super Rugby debut from the bench.
Kieran Read is on All Blacks rest this week. It also gives the All Black captain some time to recover after tweaking his neck in the build-up to the Stormers match last week. There is a reshuffle in the loose forwards which sees Jordan Taufua move from No.8 to blindside, Whetukamokamo Douglas starts at No.8 and Ethan Blackadder provide cover on the bench.
We are back at home this Saturday night against the @BluesRugbyTeam and here’s our team for the big NZ Derby. Read more at https://t.co/f24oj5pFXe #CRUvBLU pic.twitter.com/4RuasCgRtf
— BNZ Crusaders (@crusadersrugby) May 23, 2019
Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Isi Tu’ungafasi, 18 George Bower, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor.
Date: Saturday, May 25
Venue: Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)
