David Havili to start at 10 for Crusaders
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has made some changes to his starting line-up for Saturday’s Super Rugby derby with the Chiefs in Hamilton.
There is a reshuffle in the back-line which sees David Havili start at fly-half this week in the absence of Richie Mo’unga, who will sit out this fixture as he recovers from minor knee and groin strains.
Will Jordan moves to full-back as a result, and Sevu Reece will line up on the right wing.
The team also includes the return of All Black prop Joe Moody and wing George Bridge for the first time in 2020.
Codie Taylor has also been named to start this week – after starting on the bench in the Round One win over the Waratahs – while captain Scott Barrett and the midfield combination of Jack Goodhue and Braydon Ennor, remain from last week’s run-on team.
Forwards Tom Christie and Cullen Grace also retain their spots in the matchday 23 following impressive debuts against the Waratahs.
TRY OF THE WEEK | Super Rugby 2019 Rd 17
The Crusaders put on quite the show in Round 17, our pick of the bunch and the round being David Havili’s fake, footwork and speed, after Jack Goodhue drew in the Rebels defence.#SuperRugby #TryOfTheWeek #SR2019 pic.twitter.com/Vd7gCnUjRF— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) June 10, 2019
Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 George Bridge, 10 David Havili, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Whetukamkamo Douglas, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Mitchell Dunshea, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Oliver Jager, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 George Bower, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Cullen Grace, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Leicester Faingaanuku
Date: Saturday, February 8
Venue: FMG Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19:05 local (06:05 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Angus Gardner (Australia)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)