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Chiefs face tough start to Cooper era

22 Feb 2018

The new look Chiefs have a massive task ahead as they travel down to AMI Stadium for a rematch of last year’s semifinal.

The Chiefs are entering a new era under Colin Cooper, with Damian McKenzie finally getting his chance in the No 10 jersey.

McKenzie will be looking to outdo his opposite and former schoolboy rival Richie Mo’unga as the pair compete for a spot in the All Blacks 23 over the course of the season.

Here’s our team to take on the Crusaders this Saturday in Christchurch! Are you ready? #CRUvCHI #ChiefsMana pic.twitter.com/fLpGvTgcly
— Gallagher Chiefs (@ChiefsRugby) February 22, 2018

Mo’unga finished last year an All Black and will be looking to tighten his grip on the black jersey.

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Maestro Mo’unga vs Mighty Mouse

Crusaders new dynasty just beginning

Regular Chiefs midfielder Charlie Ngatai will captain his side from fullback, with youngsters Shaun Stevenson and Solomon Alaimalo on the wings.

Another notable position change is lock/flanker Taleni Seu moving to Number 8. Of the 24-year-old Auckland product, Colin Cooper said “I like his skill, speed and power off the back of the scrum”. Sam Cane is co-captain at openside and Mitchell Brown starts at blindside ahead of Liam Messam.

Scott Robertson’s defending champion Crusaders side features nine All Blacks with 281 test caps between them.

Here's our team for our opening @SuperRugbyNZ game, against @ChiefsRugby, this Saturday right here at home! Don't miss the action, tickets at https://t.co/cppcIQOFwh #CRUvCHI #wewill #crusadeon pic.twitter.com/xhAgsj4tlG
— Crusaders (@crusadersrugby) February 22, 2018

Ryan Crotty will captain the side, playing inside fellow All Black Jack Goodhue.

Up front, Wyatt Crockett and Michael Alaalatoa start at prop in place of injured regulars Joe Moody (shoulder) and Owen Franks (achilles). Sam Whitelock and Luke Romano get the nod at lock, while Jordan Taufua takes over at Number 8 following Kieran Read’s back surgery.

Flanker Billy Harmon is in line for a Super Rugby debut off the bench.

CHIEFS
1. Aidan Ross, 2. Nathan Harris, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Dominic Bird, 6. Mitchell Brown, 7. Sam Cane (C), 8. Taleni Seu, 9. Brad Weber, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Johnny Fa’auli, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Shaun Stevenson, 15. Charlie Ngatai (C).
Reserves: 16. Liam Polwart, 17. Atunaisa Moli, 18. Angus Ta’avao, 19. Liam Messam, 20. Lachlan Boshier, 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22. Marty McKenzie, 23. Sean Wainui.

CRUSADERS
1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Michael Alaalatoa, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Peter Samu, 7. Matt Todd (C), 8. Jordan Taufua, 9. Bryn Hall, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. George Bridge, 12. Ryan Crotty (C), 13. Jack Goodhue, 14. Seta Tamanivalu, 15. David Havili.
Reserves: 16. Ben Funnell, 17. Chris King, 18. Oliver Jager, 19. Scott Barrett, 20. Billy Harmon, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Mitchell Hunt, 23. Manasa Mataele.

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Comments on RugbyPass

JW 3 minutes ago

Crusaders name rookie loose forward to start against the Highlanders

Maybe it is their own back yard? Ever think of that with your oneeyed vision?Anyway no idea what you guys are talking about!

15 Go to comments

JW 4 minutes ago

Crusaders name rookie loose forward to start against the Highlanders

Lol posting on the wrong article? What did it used to say?

15 Go to comments

Cantab 23 minutes ago

Crusaders name rookie loose forward to start against the Highlanders

Same scribes could not countenance that the Crusaders would bounce back from last year’s disastrous performances and be competitive with either the Blues or Chiefs. Events since have given the lie to their opinions haven’t they?? Conveniently overlooked eh.

15 Go to comments

fl 30 minutes ago

Japan's proposed anti-DEI 'blood' eligibility law after foreign player influx

this is racist, but no more so than allowing people to qualify for nations they have never lived in on the grounds of ancesty, or allowing the existence of racially segregated teams like NZ Maori and the “first nations & pasifika XV”

blood and soil racial nationalism has no place in the 21st century, and rugby needs to get with the times

1 Go to comments

FrankBrammer 50 minutes ago

Conor Murray: French giants weigh up shock move for Ireland star

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JW 57 minutes ago

Crusaders name rookie loose forward to start against the Highlanders

Too funny huh, must have injured himself in one of his heroic tackles last week where he had to extend his body to the limits.

15 Go to comments

JW 59 minutes ago

Crusaders name rookie loose forward to start against the Highlanders

Saifoloi will add some much needed threat to the Crusaders attack, this could be just the right timing to catch other teams out like how the Chiefs did with Sititi last year.

Just what the Highlanders didn’t need from Penney as this game, and most others, become must win games for their playoff spot.

15 Go to comments

JD Kiwi 1 hour ago

'Haves and have nots': The Six Nations numbers reveal hidden truths

Lots of great stats Nick. Is the report available to the public?

My World Cup preview had Ireland and Scotland’s golden generation with their best chances, France and Italy's too inexperienced and Wales and England between generations.

England is starting to look good but you'd have to say that France have a lot of top players coming into their peak.

I'd have expected a better accumulation of caps since then though for their young 2023 players and I'm not sure that the ten month club season is conducive to their players being fit and firing for the big event.

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Ace 1 hour ago

Bryan Habana: 'I don't think Louis is faster than me'

Kolbe isn’t a special wing. He’s a special rugby player.

Habana was a special wing. You don’t play 124 tests and score 67 tries for a top tier nation unless you’re something extraordinary.

6 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 1 hour ago

Crusaders impact could put veteran O’Connor in Wallabies mix for Lions

35 only, JD. Still has a few years left in him ! Look at Sexton. Or at the great Argentine, Hugo Porta. Few around who have been good still at and post 35😀

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Florence Sophia 1 hour ago

'Not real Lions': How the 1989 British and Irish tourists put Australia on the map

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Mzilikazi 1 hour ago

Crusaders impact could put veteran O’Connor in Wallabies mix for Lions

“that Waratahs 10”. Yes, JWH, he is coming up fast from the pack. Always thought he had promise when with Qld., and he has done no harm to his prospects in his first year back in his home state.

8 Go to comments

GP 1 hour ago

Crusaders name rookie loose forward to start against the Highlanders

Great point . Thing is I could not care less who the Chiefs or other NZ teams pick week to week.But they love commenting on who the Crusaders pick, inevitably from a negative angle. The old saying of just worry about your own back yard does not apply to them.

15 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 1 hour ago

Crusaders impact could put veteran O’Connor in Wallabies mix for Lions

Thanks for the article Brett. Interesting topic for us to debate. James O’Connor would be my pick for being the most exciting back, maybe even could say the greatest, that I have seen emerge in my time living in Australia, now close to 40 years.

One of those interesting players, who could have played for any of the WB’s, AB’s, or Bok’s. And along with David Pocock, he was developed by the W. Force, after both were schooled in Brisbane. And both could have played for the Boks….just ponder on that one !

It was so sad to see him go off the rails, and waste some of his best years, lost to the WB’s. But the story does have this great ending. Thrown a lifeline by Sale Sharks in England, where he took his chances and worked hard, and was a good team player, by all accounts highly valued. Then coming back to the the state of his birth, and playing for the Qld. Reds. There is no doubt in my mind that he has been a big element in the Reds becoming a much better side during his time with them. And now what is probably the last chapter, playing for one of the great rugby teams, the Crusaders.

My view would be that James O’Connor would be a wonderful member of Joe Schmidt’s broader squad, preparing to take on the the B&I Lions. He just looks, from where we stand as observers, to be one of those players one loves to train and play with. He is so multi talented, and who knows, given the cruel hand of injuries, and the vagaries of form, James O’Connor my one last time run out onto the pitch to stand and sing “Advance Australia Fair”. I for one hope he does !

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