Team Naming Round 6: Crusaders v Chiefs

It’s our second home game of the season this Friday, the fixture part of an epic double header with our Matatū girls.

Matatū kick off versus Hurricanes Poua at 4.00pm and the Crusaders kick off 7.05pm. Get your tickets now.

The Crusaders named their team for the Friday derby on Wednesday, with Mitch Drummond stepping up as captain.

The Crusaders Centurion said it was “an honour” to be the first out of the tunnel on Friday and use his voice to guide the team in a crunch match before bye week.

“I’ve had the opportunity to lead the team out twice before. Once was in my 100th game and once was when I was Crusader for the Day when I was five years old, so for it to go full circle like that, it’s pretty awesome,” Drummond said.

He’ll be joined by Riley Hohepa at 10, with Rivez Reihana on the bench after a few weeks sideline rehabbing from injury.

Johnny McNicholl gets his first start of the season on the left wing, while Macca Springer shifts to the bench. Sevu Reece resumes his spot on the right, ready to light it up at home. 

Dallas McLeod is back in starting XV joining Levi Aumua in the centre, while Chay Fihaki sits at fullback ready to steady the ship.

The front row is strong with George Bower, George Bell and Fletcher Newell lining up, bolstered by locks quinten Strange and Jamie Hannah.

Corey Kellow is in the mix this week as a loosie alongside Tom Christie and Cullen Grace.

James Mullen is on debut in the 16 jersey and together with Kershawl Sykes-Martin and Owen Franks will come into the front row. Dom Gardiner and Fletcher Anderson stand ready to make an impact, as does replacement halfback Noah Hotham.

“We’re focused on Friday night, it’s a new opportunity and we’re digging deep,” said Crusaders Head Coach Rob Penney.

“We’ve got a really good group here, we’ve got trust in them and our job as coaches is to provide confidence for them and the belief that they can get the job done.”