1
Return of Richie Mo'unga headlines new-look Crusaders for GF rematch
By Finn Morton
The return of playmaker Richie Mo’unga headlines a new-look Crusaders team, as the title holders look to get their season back on track against the Blues in round four.
After starting their season with a disastrous 21-point loss to the Chiefs at home, the Crusaders bounce back with a win over the Highlanders in Super Round.
But things took a surprising turn in Lautoka on Saturday as a Kemu Valetini penalty goal in the 83rd minute handed the Crusaders their second defeat of the campaign.
But the Crusaders will be eager to bounce back in a rematch of last year’s Super Rugby Pacific final, and have called on some world-class reinforcements in preparation for battle.
Richie Mo’unga and Braydon Ennor are among the 11 All Blacks who could take the field for the Crusaders at Eden Park on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a hell of a weekend,” coach Scott Robertson said in a statement.
“We’ve had some historic games over the last few years haven’t we?
“They beat us at home, we’ve beat them up there and they’ve got some awesome rugby players playing for them.”
Defending Super Rugby champions the Crusaders have made nine changes to their starting XV, which includes a familiar looking front row of Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Tamaiti Williams.
All Blacks locks Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock will pack down alongside each other in the second-row once again this week – they’re two of just six players to have retained their place in the starting side.
Flanker Ethan Blackadder returns to the matchday line-up this weekend, and will run out alongside backrowers Tom Christie and Sione Havili Talitui.
As for the backline, All Blacks Mitchell Drummond and Richie Mo’unga will partner each other in the halves.
Dallas McLeod and Braydon Ennor have been named in the midfield, while Leicester Fainga’anuku and Sevu Reece are set to start on the wings. Utility back Fergus Burke will start in the No. 15 jumper.
“It’s another big game for us, another great opportunity for our players to go out and perform at a great local derby,” Robertson added.
The highly anticipated grand final rematch is set to get underway at 7:05pm NZT at Eden Park.
Crusaders team to take on the Blues
- Joe Moody
- Codie Taylor
- Tamaiti Williams
- Scott Barrett
- Sam Whitelock
- Ethan Blackadder
- Tom Christie
- Sione Havili Talitui
- Mitchell Drummond
- Richie Mo’unga
- Leicester Fainga’anuku
- Dallas McLeod
- Braydon Ennor
- Sevu Reece
- Fergus Burke
Replacements:
- Brodie McAlister
- Kershawl Sykes-Martin
- George Bower
- Zach Gallagher
- Christian Lio-Willie
- Willi Heinz
- Pepesana Patafilo
- Macca Springer
Trending on RugbyPass
2
All Blacks XV player ratings vs Munster
3
Suaalii strikes awe as Wallabies lose midfielder
4
Scott Robertson responds about handling errors
5
Latest Comments
My ‘fantasy’ team V Ireland,
Including options from ABXV if needed, as V Mun better V Ireland better prep than England.
The most important aspect V Ireland is AB need ALL their loosies AND 'loosie capable locks' on ALL match [except IF(?) any tiring ie the aging & slowing eg Cane]. As follows,
{starting} bench (3rd choice)
1 {De Groot} / Tu’ungafasi (Williams)
2 { anyone that can throw!! }/ Aumua (Brodie McAlister)
Ryan! coach lineouts & Aumua to throw!
3 {Lomax}/ Tosi (Newell )
Tosi immense strength V England
4,5 Locks { P.Tuipulotu, S.Barrett }, Vaa’i, Darry
( Isaia Walker-Leawere)
Vaa’i off V Eng. Assumed due to leg injury(?)
6,7,8 Loose forwards { Sititi, A.Savea, Cane } Vaa’i, S.Barrettm, P.Tuipulotu back up (Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi )
9 {Roigard } Ratima ( TJ )
10 {D.McK} Perofeta ( Plummer)
12 {J.Barrett } ALB ( Q.Tupaea )
13 {Proctor} Ioane ( AJ Lam )
Ioane (off V England ) but Irish experience (NO not Sexton!)
14 { Tele’a} Reece (bkup W.Jordan )
11 {C.Clarke} Narawa (K.Naholo)
15 {W.Jordan} Love (Stevenson)
Go to commentsI guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
Go to comments