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He's usually flying down the left or the right wing, but this week Sevu Reece will start at centre for the first time in his Super Rugby career. 

 

"I'm so excited. Before I played on the wing, before I moved down to the Crusaders, I was playing centre, and it wasn't until I moved down here that I played on the wing,” Reece says.  

 

"It's always been a goal of mine to play centre at this level – to test myself against the best of the best and getting that opportunity this week in front if my family back in Fiji, what a place to play centre - I can't even find the words, I'm just so excited – thank you Pens!" 

 

Dallas McLeod will accompany Reece in the centre position while Will Jordan will start where he has for every game so far this season – at fullback.   

 

Things will remain the same on the wings this week with Macca Springer on the left wing and Chay Fihaki on the right, while the 9/ 10 combo of Hamilton school mates Noah Hotham and Taha Kemara is back.  

 

In the forwards, Codie Taylor will start at hooker and will captain the side this week in David Havili's absence.  

 

"We need the mindset that we have to go to work over there – the reality is it's going to hurt, but the team that stays the most connected and nails the basics will win the game and that's been our focus, "Taylor says.  

 

George Bower and Seb Calder will complete the front row, while Tahlor Cahill and Antonio Shalfoon will be paired at lock.  

 

Corey Kellow will jump back into the 6 jersey this week; Tom Christie will take the starting openside position and Christian Lio-Willie will round out the forwards in the number 8 jersey.  

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Head Coach Rob Penney says they are taking lots of lessons from the Moana game into this week. 

 

"It was awful last week, but we've addressed our performance, the coaching staff and the leaders have done a great job of setting the tone for the week. 

 

"The boys are going to have to grit their teeth and bear it and do what needs to be done for their teammates this weekend." 

 

Crusaders team to face Fijian Drua: 

  

  1. George Bower 
  2. (C) Codie Taylor 
  3. Seb Calder  
  4. Tahlor Cahill 
  5. Antonio Shalfoon 
  6. Corey Kellow 
  7. Tom Christie 
  8. Christian Lio-Willie 
  9. Noah Hotham 
  10. Taha Kemara 
  11. Macca Springer 
  12. Dallas McLeod  
  13. Sevu Reece 
  14. Chay Fihaki 
  15. (VC) Will Jordan 

  

Impact 

  1. Ioane Moananu
  2. Kershawl Sykes- Martin
  3. Fletcher Newell
  4. Quinten Strange
  5. (VC) Ethan Blackadder
  6. Mitch Drummond
  7. James O'Connor
  8. Levi Aumua

  

  

Players unavailable for selection due to injury:  

  

Kyle PRESTON Rib 

1-2 weeks 

 

David HAVILI Achilles 

1-2 weeks 

 

Johnny McNICHOLL   Hamstring  

2-3 weeks 

 

Dom GARDINER   Hamstring/ Foot 

TBC  

Braydon ENNOR Hamstring 

TBC 

 

George BELL   Planter plate (foot) 

12- weeks  

   

Finaly BREWIS   Shoulder (surgery)  

Out for the season