BNZ Crusaders team to play the British and Irish Lions

Jun 8 • General News, International • 1217 Views • Comments Off on BNZ Crusaders team to play the British and Irish Lions

The BNZ Crusaders will create history on Saturday night when they play the British and Irish Lions for the first time.

Head Coach Scott Robertson has named a strong side that includes an All Black tight five and a backline brimming with the exciting young Super Rugby talent we have seen on display this season.

Robertson said the team is under no illusions about how tough this British and Irish Lions team will be: “This is a huge and exciting challenge for us. We are facing some of the best rugby players in the world, but we have some of the world’s best in this team too, so it will be a fantastic clash.

“No matter how it unfolds, this will be a game that the players involved will remember as one of the special moments in their careers. Not that many players get the opportunity to play in a British and Irish Lions tour, and to do that in front of a sellout crowd at AMI Stadium in our Crusaders colours is going to be an awesome occasion for the team and for the fans in the stands,” Robertson said.

The only changes to the team that beat the Highlanders last weekend are a rotation at halfback with Bryn Hall starting and Mitchell Drummond on the bench; a switch to second five for David Havili with Israel Dagg coming in at fullback; and Tim Bateman coming in via the bench.

Kick off between the BNZ Crusaders and British and Irish Lions is at 7:35 pm on Saturday night at Christchurch’s AMI Stadium.

BNZ Crusaders team to play the British & Irish Lions:

1.   Joe Moody
2.   Codie Taylor
3.   Owen Franks
4.   Luke Romano
5.   Sam Whitelock (C)
6.   Heiden Bedwell-Curtis
7.   Matt Todd (VC)
8.   Jordan Taufua
9.   Bryn Hall
10. Richie Mo’unga
11. George Bridge
12. David Havili
13. Jack Goodhue
14. Seta Tamanivalu
15. Israel Dagg

RESERVES
16. Ben Funnell
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Michael Alaalatoa
19. Quinten Strange
20. Jed Brown
21. Mitchell Drummond
22. Mitchell Hunt
23. Tim Bateman