Round Four: Game Preview v Hurricanes
We’re finally home and it’s never felt so good. Three games on the road, and a Northern Tour before that – it’s been a minute since we set foot on home turf. Round four versus the Hurricanes at Apollo Projects Stadium, an all Kiwi derby on a Friday night, it doesn’t get any better.
That 7.05pm kick off can’t come soon enough.
Key team news
Scott Barrett has been sidelined for six weeks with a fractured finger. Tough break and we’ll miss Scooter on the field, but as always it’s an opportunity for someone else to step up and stake their claim to a piece of Crusaders history. Great to see Zach Gallagher back in the jersey after a few injury niggles.
David Havili takes the captaincy for this one. Speaking to media at Captain’s Run on Thursday, he’s set to steady the ship with his prior experience in the hot seat, both for the Crusaders and the Tasman Makos.
Riley Hohepa starts at 10 in his second cap in the red and black, selected for his game management and his boot.
Finlay Brewis is also back after a shoulder injury, ready to take up front row duties when needed.
Last time we met
It was the final round robin game of the 2023 season when we travelled to Wellington to face the Hurricanes last. They came away with the win, putting on a performance to see off long-time Hurricane Dane Coles in his last game for the club. It was a tight contest capped in the dying minutes with Chay Fihaki’s first try for the Crusaders.
We’ve won eight of our last 10 meetings, and just over 60 per cent of the 45 games we’ve played against them total.
Match ups to keep an eye on
Asafo Aumua will square up against George Bell in the front row, Aumua with six All Blacks caps to add to his 50+ for the Canes. Fletcher Newell will be locking eyes with Tyrel Lomax, both having pulled on the black jersey on numerous occasions.
A tantalising match up at halfback with Willi Heinz in the red and black, Cam Roigard in the black and yellow. Willi’s been plying his trade for years and brings a huge depth of knowledge – Roigard made waves at the Rugby World Cup in France last year. All eyes on these two as to how they control the game.
Same can be said for Riley Hohepa and Brett Cameron, the team’s starting 10s. Cameron spent years in Canterbury notching up nearly 50 caps for Canterbury and 13 for the Crusaders before heading overseas. Hohepa earned a few caps with the Canes in the same season Cameron retured to the club. They know each other, they know their game.
Kini Naholo has been dangerous on the wing for the Canes and will be looking down the sideline at none other than Sevu Reece who recently clocked 50 Super Rugby tries – four of them in the last three fixtures. Equally interesting will be Josh Moorby squaring up against Macca Springer who has been cantering down the white line like a gazelle in recent weeks for the Crusaders.
Key info:
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Jono Bredin, Fraser Hannon
Kick off: 7.05pm NZ Time
Expected crowd: 11,000+