Crusaders name fourth captain of the season against Chiefs
2024 has been anything but smooth sailing for the Crusaders, but if there was a time and place to snap a record-losing streak and kickstart a season renaissance, at home against the Chiefs would be it.
This week, halfback Mitch Drummond will don the captain's armband as the fourth player to lead the defending champs this season; following Scott Barrett, David Havili and Tom Christie.
There's plenty of pressure on the stalwart nine to inspire a performance against the Chiefs, with his side still in search of their first win of the post-Scott Robertson era.
“I’ve had the opportunity to lead the team out twice before," Drummond said. "Once was in my 100th game and once was when I was Crusader for the Day when I was five years old, so for it to go full circle like that, it’s pretty awesome."
Drummond will be joined in the halves by last week's Crusaders Man of the Match Riley Hohepa, while Rivez Reihana will return to action off the bench.
Some experience has been injected into the backline in the form of returning outside back Johnny McNicholl, who will start on the left wing with youngster Macca Springer moved to the bench.
In the absence of David Havili, fellow All Black midfielder Dallas McLeod will start in the No. 12 jersey and partner Levi Aumua.
Having impressed off the bench against the Blues, flanker Corey Kellow gets an opportunity in the starting XV, replacing Dominic Gardiner in the No. 6 jersey. Gardiner will look to provide impact as the reserve lock.
“We’re focused on Friday night, it’s a new opportunity and we’re digging deep,” said under-pressure Crusaders Head Coach Rob Penney.
“We’ve got a really good group here, we’ve got trust in them and our job as coaches is to provide confidence for them and the belief that they can get the job done.”
Crusaders team to face the Chiefs
1. George Bower
2. George Bell
3. Fletcher Newell
4. Quinten Strange
5. Jamie Hannah
6. Corey Kellow
7. Tom Christie
8. Cullen Grace
9. Mitch Drummond
10. Riley Hohepa
11. Johnny McNicholl
12. Dallas McLeod
13. Levi Aumua
14. Sevu Reece
15. Chay Fihaki
RESERVES:
16. James Mullen
17. Kershawl Sykes-Martin
18. Owen Franks
19. Dominic Gardiner
20. Fletcher Anderson
21. Noah Hotham
21. Rivez Reihana
23. Macca Springer
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All of these media pundits always miss the obvious whenever they analyse what is ailing or assisting the game. Rugby always has contentious points for debate when picking apart individual games and finding fault with itself. All this focus and scrutiny on “speeding up the game”, “high ball in play” etc is all contextual to the fan. As a tv viewer, if you’re absorbed into a game, regardless if your team is playing or not, more ball in play time and action are all byproducts of the contest. A good contest subliminally affects your memory in selectively remembering all the good aspects. A poor contest and your brain has switched off because its a blowout and the result is never in doubt or it’s a real chore to watch and remain engaged throughout. The URC, Top 14 and English premiership are all competitions that feel like there’s real jeopardy each week. The dominance of Super rugby by NZ teams was unhealthy from a sustainable interest perspective. You can’t fault those teams or the players, but the lack of competitions won by SA and Australian teams long term was always going to test the faith and patience of die-hard and casual fans from those regions. SANZAR took their eye off the fans and fans voted with their feet and subscriptions. They were so concerned about expanding their product they forgot the golden rule about broadcasting live sport. Viewers tune in more when there’s an atmosphere and a true contest. You need to fill stadiums to create one, host unions need to do more to service ticket buyers, and this year proves the other, there’s more interest in Super rugby this year only because more games are competitive with less foregone conclusions. All these micro statistics bandied about, only interest the bean counters and trainspotters.
Go to commentsIt’s a good, timely wake up call for NZ Rugby (seem to be a few of them lately!) - sort out the bureaucratic nonsense at board level. We can’t expect to stay the number one option without keeping fans/players engaged. We’ve obviously been bleeding players to league for years but can’t let the floodgates open (although I think this headline is hyperbolic as it’s a result of a recent Warriors pathways system where they are tracking things more closely) Understand the need to focus boys on rugby if they’re at a proud rugby school too, don’t think it’s harsh at all re Barakat in Hamilton. Reward the committed players with squad positions. An elite 1st XV system in NZ has done more for league than they even realise, think it’s good to protect our game further.
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