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No Sam Whitelock as Crusaders name team for Brumbies blockbuster
By Finn Morton
Super Ruby veteran Sam Whitelock will not play against the Brumbies on Friday night after being left out of the Crusaders’ team for the trans-Tasman blockbuster.
The Crusaders have made two changes to their starting XV ahead of their Round Five clash against the undefeated Brumbies at Orangetheory Stadium at 7:05pm on Friday.
Title holders the Crusaders got their Super Rugby Pacific campaign back on track on Saturday with a hard-fought win over the Blues in a rematch of last year’s final.
Playmaker Richie Mo’unga impressed in the No. 10 jersey upon his return to the side, while winger Leicester Fainga’anuku starred with a hat-trick of tries.
The All Blacks duo have been named in the starting side to face the Brumbies, with Scott Robertson only making a couple of changes to the line-up.
But one of the changes it massive – both in stature and reputation.
All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock will not play on Friday night, and has been replaced by Zach Gallagher in the No. 5 jersey.
Gallagher is set for his first start of the season, and will pack down in the second row alongside captain Scott Barrett.
The only other change is on right wing, with Pepesana Patafilo having been promoted to the starting side after making his debut off the bench against the Blues.
Flyhalf Richie Mo’unga is on the cusp of a Crusaders milestone, with Friday night's crunch clash marking his 99th appearance in the coveted red jersey.
Crusaders team to take on the Brumbies
- Joe Moody
- Codie Taylor
- Tamaiti Williams
- Scott Barrett (c)
- Zach Gallagher
- Ethan Blackadder
- Tom Christie
- Sione Havili Talitui
- Mitchell Drummond
- Richie Mo’unga
- Leicester Fainga’anuku
- Dallas McLeod
- Braydon Ennor
- Pepesana Patafilo
- Fergus Burke
Replacements:
- Brodie McAlister
- Kershawl Sykes-Martin
- George Bower
- Dominic Gardiner
- Christian Lio-Willie
- Willi Heinz
- Will Gualter
- Chay Fihaki
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Latest Comments
500k registered players in SA are scoolgoers and 90% of them don't go on to senior club rugby. SA is fed by having hundreds upon hundreds of schools that play rugby - school rugby is an institution of note in SA - but as I say for the vast majority when they leave school that's it.
Go to commentsDon't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
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