Crusaders Super rugby head coach Scott Robertson has named his season-opening team to play the Sydney-based Waratahs at Trafalgar Park and has included two Super Rugby debutants.
21-year old Tom Christie has been named to start at openside flanker and Cullen Grace, the youngest player of any in the NZ squads at just 20 years old, has been named in the reserves.
Round one also sees the return of All Blacks Scott Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Jack Goodhue, Codie Taylor and Sevu Reece to the Crusaders side.
Barrett will run out for the first time as Captain with Codie and David Havili as Vice Captains.
There will be more than just first-round points on the line this weekend, with both sides also raising funds for Rural Aid. $1000 for every try scored in the match will go to Rural Aid in support of the relief effort for the Australian bushfires.
Crusaders’ new signing Tom Christie poses during the Crusaders 2020 team naming media session at Rugby Park. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
Kick-off is 7:05 pm, Saturday 1st February, at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.
Crusaders
1. George Bower,2. Andrew Makalio,3. Oliver Jager,4. Scott Barrett (C),5. Mitchell Dunshea,6. Tom Sanders,7. Tom Christie,8. Whetukamokamo Douglas,9. Mitchell Drummond,10. Richie Mo’unga,11. Leicester Faingaanuku,12. Jack Goodhue,13. Braydon Ennor,14. Will Jordan,15. David Havili (VC)
Replacements: 16. Codie Taylor (VC),17. Isi Tu’ungafasi,18. Michael Alaalatoa,19. Luke Romano,20. Cullen Grace,.21. Bryn Hall,22. Brett Cameron,23. Sevu Reece