The Crusaders have turned to their wider training group for reinforcements as injuries hit the club’s playmaking stocks hard, meaning two debuts are on the cards against Moana Pasifika.
With Rivez Reihana and Taha Kemara both sidelined after concussions, and James White done for the season with a shoulder injury, it will be uncapped 22-year-old Cooper Grant who lines up at 10 for the reigning champions. The Tasman playmaker may not be the only debutant for the Crusaders, with Kurtis Macdonald named in the No.23 jersey.
“The doctor has indicated Rivez has delayed concussion, so we’ve done the right thing and removed him from the game, and now Cooper’s got an opportunity. He’s played great for the Development XV, and it’s wonderful for him to step up,” Crusaders head coach Rob Penney said.
“He’s got a very confident demeanour. He uses his voice really well, and he’s got an outstanding skill set. He’s new to this level, but he’s surrounded by experience, and we’re confident he’ll have the right answers when the blowtorch comes on.”
The Crusaders will also celebrate All Blacks prop Fletcher Newell’s 50th game on Auckland’s North Shore.
“He doesn’t say a lot, but he works really hard at his craft and tries to get better every week,” Penney said of the front rower.
“To be around when he’s getting his 50th is a great honour because he’s one of the greats. He’s a terrific young man and a treasure for this organisation.”
Elsewhere in the team, last week’s impressive debutant Johnny Lee has retained his place in the starting XV, Codie Taylor is rested, and Dallas McLeod comes in for the injured David Havili, with Will Jordan assuming captaincy in Havili’s absence.
“We’re going week by week. The aim is to back up a win with a win, build our consistency, prepare well, and hit the ground running. We haven’t had the quickest starts, so doing those things will make it very satisfying,” he says.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Average Points scored
Crusaders team to play Moana Pasifika
- Finlay Brewis
- George Bell
- Fletcher Newell
- Tahlor Cahill
- Jamie Hannah
- Ethan Blackadder (VC)
- Johnny Lee
- Christian Lio?Willie
- Noah Hotham
- Cooper Grant*
- Sevu Reece
- Dallas McLeod
- Braydon Ennor
- Chay Fihaki
- Will Jordan (C)
Reserves
16. Manumaua Letiu
17. George Bower
18. Seb Calder
19. Antonio Shalfoon
20. Xavier Saifoloi
21. Kyle Preston
22. Leicester Fainga’anuku
23. Kurtis Macdonald*
Injury list
Kershawl SYKES-MARTIN: Hip, 2 weeks
Maloni KUNAWAVE: Hamstring, 2-3 weeks
Cooper ROBERTS: Stress fracture (fibula), 2-3 weeks
Dom GARDINER: Ankle/ knee, 2-3 weeks
Macca SPRINGER: Quad, 3-4 weeks
Johnny MCNICOLL: Hamstring, 3-4 weeks
David HAVILI: Heel, 3-4 weeks
Liam JACK: Hamstring, 3-5 weeks
Taha KEMARA: Concussion, GRTP (Graduated Return to Play)
Aki TUIVAILALA: Concussion, GRTP (Graduated Return to Play)
Rivez REIHANA: Concussion, GRTP (Graduated Return to Play)
Cullen GRACE: Knee, Unclear
James WHITE: Shoulder, out for the season
