Crusaders team to play Highlanders in pre-season game
The Crusaders will head to Motueka tomorrow morning to prepare for their pre-season match against the Highlanders on Friday evening. They will also take the opportunity to connect with some of their Tasman supporters while they are there.
Crusaders Head Coach Todd Blackadder has named a 30-strong squad to contest the Highlanders, including a number of players who have never played in a Super Rugby level game.
“This is a great chance for some of our newer players and wider training group to get a run against another Super Rugby team. There are also some of our most experienced players in the squad though so we will certainly be looking to be competitive on Friday and give our Tasman supporters something to cheer for,” Blackadder said.
The Crusaders arrive in Motueka on Thursday morning and will be visiting the Te Awhina Marae at 11am to mark Waitangi Day and meet some of the local community. Some members of the squad will then go over to Kaiteriteri on Thursday evening for a beach BBQ to mix with locals and holidaymakers there.
On Friday morning, the players not required for the game will be running a ‘Crusaders Pit-stop’ on Main Road Riwaka (outside the Riwaka Hotel), where they will be offering refreshments, window cleaning and autographs to passing motorists in return for donations that will go towards junior rugby in the area.
Kick-off is at 5:30pm at Motueka Sports Ground, and the game will be played in 20 minute quarters with 2 minute water breaks and a 10 minute halftime.
Crusaders team to play the Highlanders:
1
Tim Perry
2
Ben Funnell
3
Nepo Laulala
4
Luke Romano
5
Dominic Bird
6
George Whitelock
7
Jed Brown
8
Jordan Taufua
9
Andy Ellis
10
Tyler Bleyendaal
11
Nafi Tuitavake
12
Ryan Crotty (Captain)
13
Reynold Lee-Lo
14
Rob Thompson
15
Israel Dagg
SUBS
16
Codie Taylor
17
Wyatt Crockett
18
Owen Franks
19
Joel Everson
20
Matt Todd
21
Willi Heinz
22
Colin Slade
23
Kieron Fonotia
Samuel Whitelock
Tom Taylor
Adam Whitelock
Zac Guildford
Mitchell Drummond
Corey Flynn
Daniel Lienert Brown
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