Ardie Savea boost as All Blacks star returns for crunch Crusaders clash
Moana Pasifika and All Blacks back-row Ardie Savea.
Moana Pasifika have received a boost after it was confirmed that Ardie Savea will return to action when they take on the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.
The 31-year-old back-row has been declared fit after recovering from a hamstring injury which ruled him out of last weekend’s defeat against the Chiefs in Pukekohe.
Savea sustained the injury during Moana‘s Round Four Super Rugby Pacific victory against his former team the Hurricanes in Auckland.
The All Blacks star will captain Moana from the number eight position in Christchurch as Moana head coach Tana Umaga rings the changes to his starting line-up after last weekend’s 50-35 defeat to the Chiefs.
More back-row changes
Savea replaces Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa at the base of the scrum and is joined in the back-row by Miracle Faiilagi, who shifts from the openside to blindside flank, and Semisi Paea comes in to wear the number seven jersey.
In other forward changes, Samuel Slade comes into the second-row to replace Tom Savage while Feleti Sae-ta’ufo’ou and Tito Tuipulotu take over from Sione Mafile’o and Abraham Pole respectively as the starting props.
Meanwhile, there are two alterations to the backline with Tevita Ofa earning his debut start on the right wing, where he is preferred to Losi Filipo, and on the other wing Solomon Alaimalo is back from injury which means he comes in at the expense of Kyren Taumoefolau.
On the replacements bench, experienced Samoan international Alamanda Motuga is set to make his first appearance of the year. Motuga, who is covering the back-row, was part of the Samoa sevens side that competed in their first ever Olympic games in Paris 2024.
Umaga expects a tough challenge from the Crusaders on their home turf and welcomed the return of Savea and is looking forward to see what Motuga can do when he comes off the bench.
“We’re grateful to have depth in our forwards with a lot of seasoned players,” he said. “Alamanda is one of those players and we’re pleased he’ll get the chance to get on the field.
“Having Ardie back is also great for the team who will follow his lead.
“The Crusaders have been playing really well and we’ve got to come out strong to have a chance.
“Going to Christchurch, we’re focused on getting into a rhythm early, just sticking to our unique game and what we know.”
Moana are desperate for a victory as they are sitting at the foot of the table while the Crusaders occupy second spot in the standings and could move above the Chiefs into first place with a win this weekend.
Moana Pasifika team to face the Crusaders
Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Tevita Ofa, 13 Pepesana Patafilo, 12 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Ardie Savea (c), 7 Semisi Paea, 6 Miracle Faiilagi, 5 Allan Craig, 4 Samuel Slade, 3 Feleti Sae-ta’ufo’ou, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Tito Tuipulotu
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Alamanda Motuga, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Tuna Tuitama
Date: Saturday, March 29
Venue: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:05 local (06:05 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Mike Winter (New Zealand), Jeremy Markey (Australia)
TMO: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
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