Crusaders back young players as host of All Blacks rested for Waratahs clash
Following their bonus point win over the Melbourne Rebels in last weekend's Super Round, the Crusaders have now travelled to Sydney where they are preparing to play the Waratahs on Saturday night at Leichhardt Oval.
Head Coach Scott Robertson has made a number of changes to his side, with All Blacks Ethan Blackadder, Richie Mo'unga, Braydon Ennor and George Bridge all to sit out the Waratahs match.
Meanwhile, David Havili and Will Jordan both return from a week off and several players are in line to get an opportunity off the bench in Sydney.
Tom Christie's inclusion in the run-on side is the only change to the forward pack this week, while Bryn Hall and Fergus Burke are the starting 9-10 combination.
Havili and Jordan resume their roles at second five-eighth and fullback respectively, with Havili's injection in the midfield meaning Jack Goodhue will move to Centre, following his impressive return from injury against the Rebels.
The Crusaders will also welcome back Sione Havili Talitui from injury to face the Waratahs, with the Mako loose forward to make his return via the bench.
Meanwhile Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Simon Hickey and Dallas McLeod will all get game time this week, having also been named in the reserves.
Kick off in the Crusaders match against the Waratahs is 7:05pm NZT, Saturday 30th April at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney. The match will be televised live on Sky Sport.
Crusaders team to play the Waratahs:
1. George Bower
2. Codie Taylor (C)
3. Oli Jager
4. Zach Gallagher
5. Sam Whitelock (VC)
6. Pablo Matera
7. Tom Christie
8. Cullen Grace
9. Bryn Hall
10. Fergus Burke
11. Leicester Fainga'anuku
12. David Havili (VC)
13. Jack Goodhue
14. Sevu Reece
15. Will Jordan
RESERVES:
16. Ricky Jackson
17. Tamaiti Williams
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Dominic Gardiner
20. Sione Havili Talitui
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
22. Simon Hickey
23. Dallas McLeod
-Press Release/Crusaders
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Everywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
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