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Ryan Crotty returns for Crusaders with season on the line
By Ned Lester
The Crusaders have it all to play for in round 15's Super Rugby Pacific clash against Moana Pasifika and have leaned on some veteran talent to get them over the line.
Former All Black Ryan Crotty has been named at second five-eighth for the Christchurch clash, partnering with Dallas McLoed at centre.
Scott Barrett is still absent for the decisive contest and will be joined on the sidelines by fellow All Blacks Fletcher Newell, Sevu Reece and David Havili as well as centre Levi Aumua.
The absences make way for a starting front row of Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Tamaiti Williams, while in the second row, Antonio Shalfoon and Quinten Strange get the starting nods.
The loose forward trio is once again made up of Cullen Grace at blindside flanker, Ethan Blackadder at openside and Christian Lio-Willie at No. 8.
Noah Hotham continues his strong form at halfback and is again joined by Fergus Burke after the halves duo's impressive performance against the Blues.
Operating outside Crotty and McLeod will be Macca Springer and Chay Fihaki on the wings and Johnny McNicholl at fullback.
Crusaders team to play Moana Pasifika
- Joe Moody
- Codie Taylor
- Tamaiti Williams
- Antonio Shalfoon
- Quinten Strange
- Cullen Grace
- Ethan Blackadder
- Christian Lio-Willie
- Noah Hotham
- Fergus Burke
- Macca Springer
- Ryan Crotty
- Dallas McLeod
- Chay Fihaki
- Johnny McNicholl
Reserves
16. George Bell
17. George Bower
18. Owen Franks
19. Jamie Hannah
20. Tom Christie
21. Mitch Drummond
22. Taine Robinson
23. Heremaia Murray
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Latest Comments
Regarding the comment about the English players walking around New Zealand and expecting them to know who the English players were in 2003. Most Kiwis didn’t have the money, time or access to watch the English domestic game or Nations competition back then. That was a transitional period when rugby went from free-to-air to pay TV and replays were hard to find. You can’t expect everyone to watch every fixture and know every player by name when the games are on in the early hours of the morning and they have work/school/weekend sports to worry about. I wouldn’t expect UK viewers and members of the general public to know every Super Rugby player or All Blacks squad player maybe outside of the three Barretts, Perenara, or Savea.
Go to commentsThis is a team that will beat the Poms easily. “Keep the ball alive” and quick ball at the breakdown, will give our backs a huge front foot advantage. A game that will be played “At such a pace, the Poms have never experienced, from the kick off” “The Ambush at Forsythe Barr” Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith stand between the All Blacks and cricket score. I believe we will dominate the lineout and the scrum comprehensively. Huge win. All Blacks will be back at Number 1 by the end of the season.
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