News
Crusaders team named to play the Hurricanes in Christchurch
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- Published: Thursday, 23 July 2020 15:27
Crusaders Head Coach Scott Robertson has named his team to play the Hurricanes in Christchurch on Saturday night, and there are just two injury-enforced changes from the starting side that defeated the Blues in round five. 
Vice-Captain David Havili has been ruled out for the season after fracturing the base of his right thumb against the Blues, meaning the competition's leading try scorer, Will Jordan, will start at fullback.
Jack Goodhue joins Whetukamokamo Douglas as Vice-Captain in Havili's absence, and is set to partner with Fetuli Paea in the midfield this week, after centre Braydon Ennor was ruled out with a toe injury. Brett Cameron and Leicester Fainga'anuku have both joined the playing 23 this week, and will provide cover on the bench.
The Crusaders and Hurricanes are currently sitting first and third on the Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa standings table. While the Crusaders have won the last six Super Rugby matches between the sides, it was the Hurricanes who handed the Crusaders their last loss at home in 2016.
Kick off in the Crusaders match against the Hurricanes is 7:05pm, Saturday 25 July at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch. Tickets are still available - click here to purchase.
Crusaders team to play the Hurricanes:
1. Joe Moody
2. Codie Taylor (C)
3. Michael Alaalatoa
4. Samuel Whitelock
5. Mitchell Dunshea
6. Tom Sanders
7. Tom Christie
8. Whetukamokamo Douglas (VC)
9. Bryn Hall
10. Richie Mo'unga
11. George Bridge
12. Jack Goodhue (VC)
13. Fetuli Paea
14. Sevu Reece
15. Will Jordan
RESERVES:
16. Andrew Makalio
17. George Bower
18. Oliver Jager
19. Quinten Strange
20. Sione Havili
21. Mitchell Drummond
22. Brett Cameron
23. Leicester Fainga'anuku
Crusaders Power Home To Beat Blues
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- Published: Saturday, 11 July 2020 21:17
They came, they saw, but they could not conquer.
The Crusaders remain the benchmark, having beaten the Blues 26-15 on a frigid Christchurch Saturday night.
Crusaders team named for top-of-the-table clash with the Blues
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- Published: Thursday, 09 July 2020 15:45
The Crusaders are preparing to host the Blues on Saturday night in a top-of-the-table encounter at Orangetheory Stadium. Crusaders Head Coach Scott Robertson has made few changes to the side that secured a bonus-point win against the Highlanders last weekend. 
Ethan Blackadder sustained a knee injury at training last week and was ruled out of the match in Dunedin. His replacements, Sione Havili and Tom Sanders, will rotate this week, with Sanders to start and Havili named on the bench. The rest of the forward pack is unchanged.
In the backs, Bryn Hall and Mitch Drummond provide a dynamic 1-2 combination at halfback, with Hall to start and Drummond named in the reserves. There is also a reshuffle in the outside backs, with Leicester Faingaanuku replaced by George Bridge on the left wing, and Sevu Reece earning a start on the right wing. The in-form Will Jordan is set to provide impact off the bench.
Heading in to the bye next week, the Crusaders have an opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the standings table in Super Rugby Aotearoa, while a Blues win on Saturday night would see them overtake the home side at the halfway point in the competition.
Kick off in the Crusaders match against the Blues is 7:05pm, Saturday 11 July at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch. Tickets are strictly limited - click here to purchase.
Christchurch Boys' High School and St Andrew's College will play the curtain raiser to the Crusaders' game this week, with that match of the UC Championship competition due to kick off at 4:30pm.
Crusaders team to play the Blues:
1. Joe Moody
2. Codie Taylor (C)
3. Michael Alaalatoa
4. Samuel Whitelock
5. Mitchell Dunshea
6. Tom Sanders
7. Tom Christie
8. Whetukamokamo Douglas (VC)
9. Bryn Hall
10. Richie Mo'unga
11. George Bridge
12. Jack Goodhue
13. Braydon Ennor
14. Sevu Reece
15. David Havili (VC)
RESERVES:
16. Andrew Makalio
17. George Bower
18. Oliver Jager
19. Quinten Strange
20. Sione Havili
21. Mitchell Drummond
22. Fetuli Paea
23. Will Jordan
Crusaders Overpower Highlanders In Dunedin
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- Published: Saturday, 04 July 2020 22:15
The Crusaders machine sits at the top of the Super Rugby Aotearoa ladder with a blockbuster against the Blues in store in Christchurch next Saturday.
In front of another bumper crowd of 19,875 at Forsyth Barr Stadium, the Crusaders prevailed 40-20 against the Highlanders on Saturday to cement their position as the team to beat.