Crusaders boosted by return of All Black centre for Rebels clash

The Crusaders are now preparing for a four-match tour across the Tasman, starting with their Anzac weekend fixture against the Rebels in Melbourne on Sunday evening.

The last game in DHL Super Rugby Pacific's 'Super Round' will see the welcome return of Crusaders and All Blacks midfielder, Jack Goodhue, from the significant knee injury which has sidelined him for the past 12 months. He'll start alongside Braydon Ennor, with David Havili being rested this week.

There are two further changes in the Crusaders backline to face the Rebels; Mitch Drummond joins the run-on team at halfback in place of Bryn Hall, while Will Jordan will sit out this weekend's match altogether and George Bridge takes the starting spot at fullback.

In the forwards, Joe Moody has been ruled out of the Crusaders tour of Australia with a knee injury he sustained against the Blues, meaning fellow All Black George Bower will start at loosehead prop and Tamaiti Williams joins the reserves.

In the Crusaders' second-row stocks, Sam Whitelock makes a timely return in the absence of regular Captain Scott Barrett (suspension), while there is a reshuffle in the loose forwards with Tom Christie also rested this week, which sees Ethan Blackadder move to openside flanker, and Pablo Matera step into the starting side at six.

Hooker Codie Taylor will Captain the side in the interim, while Whitelock and first five-eighth, Richie Mo'unga, have been named Vice-Captains.

Kick off in the Crusaders match against the Melbourne Rebels is 6:30pm NZT, Sunday 24th April at AAMI Park in Melbourne. The match will be televised live on Sky Sport.

Crusaders team to play the Melbourne Rebels:

1. George Bower

2. Codie Taylor (C)

3. Oli Jager

4. Zach Gallagher

5. Sam Whitelock (VC)

6. Pablo Matera

7. Ethan Blackadder

8. Cullen Grace

9. Mitch Drummond

10. Richie Mo'unga (VC)

11. Leicester Fainga'anuku

12. Jack Goodhue

13. Braydon Ennor

14. Sevu Reece

15. George Bridge

RESERVES:

16. Ricky Jackson

17. Tamaiti Williams

18. Fletcher Newell

19. Dominic Gardiner

20. Corey Kellow

21. Bryn Hall

22. Fergus Burke

23. Chay Fihaki

-Press Release/Crusaders