Crusaders Super rugby head coach Scott Robertson has two injury-enforced changes to the starting line up who beat the Blues for this Saturday’s match against the Hurricanes.
Vice-Captain David Havili has been ruled out for the season after fracturing the base of his right thumb against the Blues, meaning the competition’s leading try scorer, Will Jordan, will start at fullback.
Jack Goodhue joins Whetukamokamo Douglas as Vice-Captain in Havili’s absence, and is set to partner with Fetuli Paea in the midfield this week, after centre Braydon Ennor was ruled out with a toe injury.
Brett Cameron and Leicester Fainga’anuku have both joined the playing 23 this week, and will provide cover on the bench. The Crusaders and Hurricanes are currently sitting first and third on the Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa standings table.
While the Crusaders have won the last six Super Rugby matches between the sides, it was the Hurricanes who handed the Crusaders their last loss at home in 2016.
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody 2. Codie Taylor (C) 3. Michael Alaalatoa 4. Samuel Whitelock 5. Mitchell Dunshea 6. Tom Sanders 7. Tom Christie 8. Whetukamokamo Douglas (VC) 9. Bryn Hall 10. Richie Mo’unga 11. George Bridge 12. Jack Goodhue (VC) 13. Fetuli Paea 14. Sevu Reece 15. Will Jordan
Replacements : 16. Andrew Makalio 17. George Bower 18. Oliver Jager 19. Quinten Strange 20. Sione Havili 21. Mitchell Drummond 22. Brett Cameron 23. Leicester Fainga’anuku