Crusaders team to play the Hurricanes in pre-season game
The Crusaders will play their second pre-season game against the Hurricanes this Saturday afternoon. It is the sixth annual Tui Brewery pre-season game, formerly held in Mangatainoka and this year in Eketahuna.
Crusaders Coach Todd Blackadder said the team is looking forward to playing this pre-season match in rural New Zealand.
“This is rugby in the heartland, and that’s what we love about it. This may be Hurricanes territory, but many of our boys have grown up playing their rugby on country grounds just like this so I think they’ll feel right at home there,” Blackadder said
“The Hurricanes are always an exciting team to play and we know to never take them lightly. This will be a very interesting test for the two teams and a great chance for players to pit themselves against some of the best talent in New Zealand.”
For six players it will be their first game time for the Crusaders this season. Joe Moody and Tom Taylor will start the game, while Dan Carter will lace up on the reserve bench. Blair Prinsep, Jack Stratton and David Havilli will play in the Crusaders jersey for the first time when they come off the bench this weekend.
Crusaders team to play the Hurricanes:
1
Joe Moody
2
Ged Robinson
3
Nepo Laulala
4
Luke Romano
5
Dominic Bird
6
Jordan Taufua
7
Matt Todd (c)
8
Jimmy Tupou
9
Billy Guyton
10
Tom Taylor
11
Johnny McNicholl
12
Kieron Fonotia
13
Robbie Fruean
14
Nafi Tuitavake
15
Richie Mo’unga
RESERVES:
Ben Funnell (FR)
Codie Taylor (FR)
Daniel Lienert –Brown (FR)
Blair Prinsep (FR)
Luke Whitelock
Jack Stratton
Tom Sanders
Dan Carter
Jed Brown
Scott Barrett
Alex Hodgman (FR)
Nathaniel Apa
David Havilli
Rob Thompson
George Bridge
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