New Zealand coach Ian Foster has named a new-look side to kick off the All Blacks’ northern hemisphere tour against the United States in Washington DC on Saturday. Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images
The Crusaders and Hurricanes are both aiming to take the top spot on the Super Rugby log this coming Friday.
New Zealand coach Ian Foster has named a new-look side to kick off the All Blacks’ northern hemisphere tour against the United States in Washington DC on Saturday. Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images
The Crusaders and Hurricanes are set to meet for the second time this season when the Crusaders will host the Hurricanes this Friday night in a top-of-the-table blockbuster at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.
At the moment the Hurricanes are second on the New Zealand Conference log, just one point behind the Crusaders.
According to the Crusaders‘ website, Head Coach Scott Robertson made three changes from the side that defeated the Blues at Eden Park last weekend, including two changes in the forwards and one in the backs.
In the front row, Tim Perry has been ruled out due to a hamstring strain suffered at the All Blacks camp on Tuesday and Wyatt Crockett will start at loosehead prop. On the opposite side of the scrum, Michael Alaalatoa steps into the starting team at tighthead prop, in place of Owen Franks.
The only change in the backline sees midfielder Tim Bateman line up at second five-eighth in place of Ryan Crotty, who is unavailable this week due to a concussion.
Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Todd (c), 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Substitutes: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Chris King, 18 Donald Brighouse, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor
According to their website, the Hurricanes will field a new midfield combination when they meet the Crusaders on Friday night.
Recently named All Black Jordie Barrett will move from fullback to centre to partner Ngani Laumape after Matt Proctor has failed to recover from a sternum injury he suffered in the Hurricanes win over the Reds last round.
Barrett’s move into the midfield sees Nehe Milner-Skudder switch from the wing to fullback.
That change sees the experienced Julian Savea move back to the right wing after he came off the bench against the Reds last week.
Boyd has made two changes to the pack with captain Brad Shields coming back into the starting XV while Michael Fatialofa has recovered from a knee complaint that kept him out of the side last week.
There are a further three changes on the bench where the halves pairing of Finlay Christie and Ihaia West are recalled while Jonah Lowe could make his debut for the Hurricanes after also being named in the reserves.
Hurricanes: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Jordie Barrett, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields (c), 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Michael Fatialofa, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Toby Smith
Substitutes: 16 James O’Reilly, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Ben May, 19 Murray Douglas, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Jonah Lowe
Friday, 25 May, 09:35 (SAST).
SuperSport 1 (subscription required) at 09:30 (SAST).
Crusaders: WWWWWWWWLLWW
Hurricanes: WWWWWWWWWWL
