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Four new faces named in Crusaders team for season opener

95 days ago

Xavi Taele of the Blues and James O'Connor of the Crusaders shake hands following the Super Rugby trial match between Crusaders and Blues at Kirwee Rugby Club on January 31, 2025 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

The Crusaders are out for redemption after dropping out of the Super Rugby Pacific title fold entirely in 2024. And a new, shortened finals format hasn’t made that job any easier for the former champions.

Head coach Rob Penney has chosen his first side for battle in 2025, with new captain David Havili leading the assault from the midfield.

Joining the 30-time All Black in the run-on squad for the season opener in Christchurch will be his bruising midfield partner Levi Aumua, with All Blacks stars Sevu Reece and Will Jordan joined by Chay Fihaki in the back three.

Fresh off his debut All Blacks campaign, Noah Hotham will pair with high school teammate Taha Kemara in the starting halves duo.

A loose forward trio that helped generate some positive momentum at the tail end of last season is reunited in the form of Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder and Christian Lio-Willie.

The second row is made up of All Blacks captain Scott Barrett and Antonio Shalfoon. Both Quinten Strange and Jamie Hannah are set to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks with hamstring and shoulder injuries, respectively.

More injury concerns are found in the front row, with Codie Taylor also suffering a hamstring issue, which will rule him out for 2-3 weeks. Ioane Moananu steps in alongside Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell in a heavyweight front row.

Crusaders team to face Hurricanes

Tamaiti Williams
Ioane Moananu
Fletcher Newell
Scott Barrett
Antonio Shalfoon
Cullen Grace
Ethan Blackadder
Christian Lio-Willie
Noah Hotham
Taha Kemara
Sevu Reece
David Havili (c)
Levi Aumua
Chay Fihaki
Will Jordan

Reserves

Manumaua Letiu*
George Bower
Sam Matenga*
Tahlor Cahill
Corey Kellow
Kyle Preston*
James O’Connor*
Dallas McLeod

*denotes potential debut

Injury list

Codie TAYLOR Hamstring 2-3 weeks
Fletcher ANDERSON Heel 2-3 weeks
Rivez REIHANA Ankle 2-3 weeks
Seb CALDER AC Joint 3-5 weeks
Quentin STRANGE Pec/Hamstring 4-6 weeks
Dom GARDINER Hamstring 4-6 weeks
Jamie HANNAH Shoulder (surgery) 4-6 weeks
Aki TUIVAILALA Finger (surgery) 4-6 weeks
Johnny McNICHOLL Hamstring 4-6 weeks
Braydon ENNOR Wrist (surgery) Unclear currently

Comments

2 Comments

YeowNotEven 94 days ago

George Bell couldn’t even make it onto the injured list.

That didn’t last long. Guess he got his all black cap though, time to cash that in overseas.

GP 94 days ago

George Bell is an outstanding hooker for Canterbury and the Crusaders. He was Man of the Match when we defeated the Chiefs last year at home and was in dynamic form for the Crusaders. He is going nowhere.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 5 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 5 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 5 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 5 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍