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Sam Whitelock returns as Crusaders name team for Waratahs clash
By Finn Morton
All Blacks centurion Sam Whitelock is set to lace up the boots for the first time in a month when the Crusaders take on the Waratahs in Christchurch on Saturday.
Following a few weeks on the sidelines with an injury, Whitelock is set to play his first game for the Crusaders since the title holders were beaten by the ladder-leading Chiefs last month.
Whitelock will line-up in the second row alongside Quinten Strange, while usual captain Scott Barrett takes a rest week as per the All Blacks’ policy.
Hooker Codie Taylor will lead the team in round 14, and will pack down in the front row alongside Kershawl Sykes-Martin and Tamaiti Williams.
Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie and Cullen Grace make up the loose forward trio this week.
As for the backline, coach Scott Robertson has named the experienced halves duo of Mitchell Drummond and Richie Mo’unga. The pair will look to unleash an exciting backline this weekend.
Vice-captain David Havili will combine with Braydon Ennor in the midfield, while Leicester Fainga’anuku and Dallas McLeod take their spots on the wings.
Fergus Burke has shifted from flyhalf back to fullback.
The match between the Crusaders and Waratahs – two traditional Super Rugby rivals – is set to get underway at 4.35pm on Saturday at Christchurch’s Orangetheory Stadium.
Crusaders team to take on the Waratahs
- Kershawl Sykes-Martin
- Codie Taylor (c)
- Tamaiti Williams
- Quinten Strange
- Sam Whitelock
- Christian Lio-Willie
- Tom Christie
- Cullen Grace
- Mitchell Drummond
- Richie Mo’unga
- Leicester Fainga’anuku
- David Havili (vc)
- Braydon Ennor
- Dallas McLeod
- Fergus Burke
Replacements:
- Brodie McAlister
- Seb Calder
- Reuben O’Neill
- Zach Gallagher
- Sione Havili Talitui
- Noah Hotham
- Chay Fihaki
- Wil Gualter
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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