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Super Rugby sides named for semis: Canes bench Savea
By RugbyPass
All four teams have been named for this weekend's Super Rugby semi finals, with the Crusaders naming an unchanged 23 for their match against the Chiefs at AMI Stadium on Saturday evening NZT.
Crusaders: 1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Sam Whitelock (C), 6. Jordan Taufua, 7. Matt Todd (VC), 8. Kieran Read, 9. Bryn Hall, 10. Richie Mo'unga, 11. Seta Tamanivalu, 12. Ryan Crotty (VC), 13. Jack Goodhue, 14. Israel Dagg, 15. David Havili
Reserves: 16. Ben Funnell, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Michael Alaalatoa, 19. Luke Romano, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Mitchell Hunt, 23. George Bridge
They'll be facing a Chiefs team welcoming back Charlie Ngatai and Tim Nanai-Williams to the starting lineup.
Chiefs: 15. Damian McKenzie, 14. Tim Nanai-Williams, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 12.Charlie Ngatai, 11. James Lowe, 10. Aaron Cruden (co-c), 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8. Michael Leitch, 7. Sam Cane (co-c), 6. Liam Messam, 5. Brodie Retallick, 4. Mitchell Brown, 3. Nepo Laulala, 2. Nathan Harris, 1. Kane Hames.
Reserves: 16. Liam Polwart, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Atu Moli, 19. Dominic Bird, 20. Lachlan Boshier, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Stephen Donald, 23. Shaun Stevenson
Over in Johannesburg, the Lions have also named an unchanged 23 for their semi final against the Hurricanes:
Lions: 15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Ruan Combrinck, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Ross Cronje, 8. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Kwagga Smith, 6. Jaco Kriel (c), 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Andries Ferreira, 3. Ruan Dreyer, 2. Malcolm Marx, 1. Jacques van Rooyen.
Reserves: 16. Akker van der Merwe, 17. Corne Fourie, 18. Johannes Jonker, 19. Lourens Erasmus, 20. Cyle Brink, 21. Faf de Klerk, 22. Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 23. Sylvian Mahuza.
The visitors have made the most eye-raising change, dropping All Black wing Julian Savea in favour of Wes Goosen. Vince Aso comes back in at centre, meaning Jordie Barrett goes to fullback and Nehe Milner-Skudder shifts to the wing. Veteran Cory Jane is squeezed off the bench and probably into waterboy duties. It's a repeat of last year's scenario for Savea, who was axed for the entire finals campaign for Jason Woodward.
Hurricanes: 15. Jordie Barrett, 14. Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13. Vince Aso, 12. Ngani Laumape, 11. Wes Goosen, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. TJ Perenara, 8. Brad Shields, 7. Ardie Savea, 6. Vaea Fifita, 5. Sam Lousi, 4. Mark Abbott, 3. Jeff To'omaga-Allen, 2. Dane Coles (c), 1. Ben May.
Reserves: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Chris Eves, 18. Loni Uhila, 19. Reed Prinsep, 20. Callum Gibbins, 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22. Otere Black, 23. Julian Savea
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Latest Comments
In your opinion because he's a Crusader. We talk about parochialism in our game but people like you and Jacko take it to a whole new level in your consistent antagonism to Crusader players.
Go to commentsProbably blooded more new players than any other country but still gets stick. If any other coach did same , they would get ripped to shreds. When you are at the top , people will always try to knock you down.
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