lions super rugby 2019

Aphiwe Dyantyi of the Lions during the 2019 Super Rugby season. Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

Everything you need to know about the Crusaders vs Lions

Will the Lions pull off another victory in New Zealand?

lions super rugby 2019

Aphiwe Dyantyi of the Lions during the 2019 Super Rugby season. Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

The Lions are set to face the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday.

After beating the Chiefs 17-23 last weekend, the Lions are setting their hopes high in order to beat the reigning champs this weekend.

Crusaders team and injury news

In the forwards, Codie Taylor returns to start at hooker and, with both Scott Barrett and Matt Todd on All Blacks rest, Quinten Strange and Billy Harmon have been given an opportunity to start against the Lions. Mitch Dunshea has also been named in the matchday team, providing cover in the No 19 jersey.

Mitch Drummond will start at halfback for this game and Ereatara Enari takes a spot in the reserves. There is a reshuffle in the backline with George Bridge returning to the left wing, Braydon Ennor moving in from the wing to the midfield and Sevu Reece lining up on the right wing.

Finally, 20-year-old Ngane Punivai is set to make his debut for the Crusaders on Friday.

Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Billy Harmon, 6 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Quinten Strange, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody

Substitutes: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Harry Allan, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Michael Dunshea, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Eretara Enarai, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Ngane Punivai

Lions team and injury news

The Lions made four changes to the team that beat the Chiefs last week.

Robbie Coetzee, Nic Groom, Shaun Reynolds and Ruan Combrinck all get the nod for the Lions’ last fixture on tour. Robbie Coetzee will start at hooker with Malcolm Marx back in South Africa as part of Springbok protocol which also sees the introduction of Jan-Henning Campher on the bench.

Shaun Reynolds will start at ten after Gianni Lombard picked up an injury and has returned home. Ruan Combrinck gets a start in the No 15 jumper and at nine Groom rotates with Ross Cronje.

Lions: 15 Ruan Combrinck, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Elton Jantjies, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Shaun Reynolds, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Stephan Lewies, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Sti Sithole

Substitutes: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Nathan Mcbeth, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Franco Naude, 23 Tyrone Green

Kick off time

Friday, 26 April at 09:35 (SAST).

TV & live stream

The game will be broadcast live on SuperSport 1 (SS1).