ORANGETHERORY STADIUM,CHRISTCHURCH,NZ.
Crusaders:
Fergus Burke, Will Gualter, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Jack Goodhue, Macca Springer, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Christian Lio-Willie, Corey Kellow, Sione Havili-Talitui, Dom Gardiner, Quinten Strange, Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor (c), Joe Moody. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Finlay Brewis, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Tom Christie, Willi Heinz, David Havili, Melani Nanai.
The reinforcements have started to report for duty for the banged up Crusaders.
All Blacks midfielders Jack Goodhue and David Havili are back, as is lock Quinten Strange, prop Finlay Brewis and outside backs Macca Springer and Melani Nanai. Goodhue has been out with a groin strain since round two, while Mo’unga will play his 100th game for the Crusaders.
Lock Quinten Strange, who hasn’t played at all this season due to a hamstring injury, and Macca Springer (high ankle sprain) will also start in their returns to the side, which will be captained by Codie Taylor in the absence of Scott Barrett (All Blacks rest week).
Havili, who suffered a shoulder injury against Fijian Drua last month, Brewis and former Blues outside back and uncapped Crusader Melani Nanai have been named on the bench for the team’s final game before their bye.
That slashes their casualty toll from 17 to 11 as the Crusaders await news on All Black prop George Bower’s knee injury. Leicester Fainga’anuku will play at centre with Braydon Ennor rested. Good luck stopping him.
Moana Pasifika:
William Havili, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Levi Aumua, Danny Toala, Neria Fomai, Lincoln McClutchie, Ereatara Enari, Solomone Funaki (c), Alamanda Motuga, Miracle Faiilagi, Samuel Slade, Michael Curry, Joe ‘Apikotoa, Samuel Moli, Ezekiel Lindenmuth. Reserves: Luteru Tolai, Abraham Pole, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Mike McKee, Jonah Mau’u, Manu Paea, D’Angelo Leuila, Fine Inisi.
Coach, Aron Mauger regards Levi Aumua and Danny Toala as a midfield combination that can rival any other in Super Rugby Pacific and certainly they have the power and pace to test the Crusaders defence.
Moana Pasifika are again without the influential Christian Lealiifano, who is out with a neck injury and Lincoln McClutchie again gets the nod to play first-five, next to his Hawke’s Bay team-mate Ereatara Enari, who’ll start at halfback. Big prop Joe ‘Apikotoa being promoted to the starting side and Isi Tu’ungafasi looking to make his second cap for the year off the bench, are the only changes from the side that faced the Highlanders a week ago.
Mauger spent eight years playing for the Crusaders ,so will be under no illusions as to what’s in front of his team.
PREDICTION.
The Crusaders will be too tough here at home, looking forward to the bye next week and some players coming back again after the bye. Red and Blacks by 25 points, with any time try scorer Codie Taylor, and same for Leicester Faianga’anuku.
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