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Ethan Blackadder returns as Crusaders name team for quarter-final
By Finn Morton
The Crusaders have welcomed back some big-name players for their quarter-final clash with the Fijian Drua in Christchurch on Saturday.
Oliver Jager is back in the front row, while All Black Ethan Blackadder and former England scrumhalf Willi Heinz have both been named on the bench.
Halfback Mitchell Drummond is also back in the No. 9 jersey after picking up an injury during the warm-up ahead of the blockbuster against the Hurricanes last weekend.
Oliver Jager is joined by reliable prop Tamaiti Williams and veteran Codie Taylor in the front row, while captain Scott Barrett and Quinten Strange make up the rest of the tight five.
Sione Havili Talitui and Tom Christie will take their place on the flanks, while Christian Lio-Willie will run out in the No. 8 jumper.
All Blacks Drummond and Richie Mo’unga will look to steer the Crusaders’ attack around the park, and provide quality ball to a world-class backline.
Dallas McLeod is the only back in the starting side that hasn’t played for the New Zealand national team.
Jack Goodhue and Braydon Ennor will link up in the midfield, while Leicester Fainga’anuku and McLeod have been named on the wings.
Exciting outside back Will Jordan has retained his place in the starting side at fullback.
This match is set to get underway at 7.05pm NZST on Saturday evening at Christchurch’s Orangetheory Stadium.
Crusaders team to take on Fijian Drua
- Tamaiti Williams
- Codie Taylor
- Oliver Jager
- Scott Barrett
- Quinten Strange
- Sione Havili Talitui
- Tom Christie
- Christian Lio-Willie
- Mitchell Drummond
- Richie Mo’unga
- Leicester Fainga’anuku
- Jack Goodhue
- Braydon Ennor
- Dallas McLeod
- Will Jordan
Replacements:
- Brodie McAlister
- Kershawl Sykes-Martin
- Reuben O’Neill
- Zach Gallagher
- Ethan Blackadder
- Willi Heinz
- Fergus Burke
- Chay Fihaki
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Latest Comments
“I don't think it’s viable to bring Georgia or Spain or Portugal into the six nations until their club structure is operating at a higher level.”
I think the opposite is true.
By including these countries in 6N you’re increasing interest in the game generally. This will have a positive knock-on effect on the club game as more people, knowing they could play for their country on one of the biggest stages in rugby, will boost numbers at existing clubs and potentially boost the number of clubs as new ones are formed.
But hey, i’m no expert.
Go to commentsIt’d a problem Easterby was incompetent. The real problem begins if Farrell and the IRFU were the ones pulling the strings on it.
Peneis a terrible rugby player put in a no win position. It’s not his fault he’s crap. But he should have never been placed in that situation.
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