APRIL 12th, 2024 ALLIANZ STADIUM,SYDNEY
Waratahs Injury Woes
The Waratahs’ woes deepen as star prop Angus Bell is sidelined for the rest of the season due to a recurring toe injury.
His absence compounds the already depleted Waratahs front row, which is grappling with an injury crisis. Hayden Thompson-Stringer has been promoted to the starting line-up in Bell’s place, while Lewis Ponini earns a spot on the bench for his Super Rugby Pacific debut.
Lineup Changes
Following a heavy defeat to the Brumbies last week, coach Darren Coleman has made significant changes, dropping Mark Nawaniqanitawase entirely. Triston Reilly fills the vacant position, and the center combination of Izaia Perese and Lalakai Foketi, both extensively tested, will make their season debut.
Waratahs.
Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Julian Heaven, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Ned Hanigan, Lachlan Swinton, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Triston Reilly, Max Jorgensen
Reserves. Theo Fourie, Lewis Ponini, Tom Ross, Miles Amatosero, Hugh Sinclair, Jack Grant, Will Harrison, Joey Walton
Crusaders’ Comeback
It’s been a long time coming, but All Black Ethan Blackadder is finally fit and ready to don the red and black of the Crusaders.
The Crusaders’ heavy cavalry is slowly rolling back in, starting with All Blacks loose forward Ethan Blackadder.
Blackadder, who has been sidelined with a lingering calf injury and is yet to play this season, will start in the No 6 jersey against the Waratahs in Sydney on Friday night.
Blackadder has been training fully for some time, but the Crusaders have refrained from rushing him back despite their injury woes.
Blackadder isn’t the only returning Crusader.
Injury Updates
Hooker Brodie McAlister, nursing a knee injury sustained during a pre-season match against the Highlanders in February, and loose forward Christian Lio-Willie, recovering from an ankle ailment, have been included among the substitutes.
However, pivot Fergus Burke’s long-awaited return from a busted Achilles drags on after he sustained a calf injury at training, meaning he will at least miss the team’s two-week tour of Australia.
Captain Scott Barrett (finger), prop Tamaiti Williams (hamstring), and midfielder David Havili (calf) are expected back after the Australian tour.
Crusaders
George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Jamie Hannah, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie (c), Cullen Grace, Noah Hotham, Riley Hohepa, Johnny McNicholl, Dallas McLeod, Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki
Reserves. Brodie McAlister, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Dominic Gardiner, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer
Referee. Nic Berry, Assistant Referees. Damon Murphy, Jordan Kaminski
PREDICTION.
After clinching their first win two weeks ago and taking a well-deserved break last week, the Crusaders are poised to make their way to Sydney with enthusiasm. With Ethan Blackadder back in the lineup and fueled by the desire to redeem themselves after their surprising loss in Round two, the Crusaders may not have returned to their full destructive potential, but they are undoubtedly poised to capitalize on any errors made by the Tahs.
With five losses on the trot the Tahs need a win to keep their season alive, but don’t expect their decimated forward pack to hold up under the pressure.
Crusaders for me.
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