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Crusaders reveal Scott Barrett injury, name team to face top dog Hurricanes

Sevu Reece of the Crusaders. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The Crusaders are reeling after suffering their third straight loss to start the Super Rugby Pacific season and will be without their captain Scott Barrett for six weeks thanks to a fractured finger.

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The injury list for the team already includes All Blacks Tamaiti Williams, Ethan Blackadder, and Braydon Ennor in addition to absences from Codie Taylor, Fergus Burke and Leigh Halfpenny. Will Jordan was ruled out of the season entirely.

There were plenty of potential changes new coach Rob Penney could make, with promising youngsters fighting for promotion and experienced All Blacks capable of moving around as the team continues to deal with the injuries.

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A familiar front row in George Bower, George Bell and Fletcher Newell will be put to the test against a powerful Hurricanes unit at scrum time, backed up by Quinten Strange and Zach Gallagher in the second row.

The loose forwards feature young Dominic Gardiner, tackle machine Tom Christie and one-time All Black Cullen Grace.

Willi Heinz returns to the starting unit at halfback, partnering with Riley Hohepa who steps in for his first Crusaders start.

Penney will be looking to David Havili to bring composure to what has been an uncharacteristically shaky backline, with the All Black named at 12 inside new import Levi Aumua.

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The back three sees Macca Springer, Sevu Reece and Chay Fihaki bring finishing prowess out wide.

There’s no sign of recent signing Johnny McNiccholl just yet, but the Welsh international fullback has touched down in Christchurch ahead of the team’s first home game of the season on Friday night.

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Crusaders team to face Hurricanes

  1. George bower
  2. George Bell
  3. Fletcher Newell
  4. Quinten Strange
  5. Zach Gallagher
  6. Dominic Gardiner
  7. Tom Christie
  8. Cullen Grace
  9. Willie Heinz
  10. Riley Hohepa
  11. Macca Springer
  12. David Havili
  13. Levi Aumua
  14. Sevu Reece
  15. Chay Fihaki

Reserves

16. Ioane Moananu
17. Finlay Brewis
18. Owen Franks
19. Jamie Hannah
20. Tahlor Cahill
21. Mitch Drummond
22. Ryan Crotty
23. Dallas McLeod

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M
Mzilikazi 35 minutes ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

This performance from Ireland does not surprise me. Go back to the Emgland game last year, and the way Ireland played there. Some poor defence, especially at the death, allowing the Smith drop goal, which was from an virtually .unmissable position.


Then the AB loss in the autumn, when Ireland played as poorly as I have seen this current group play. I agree with you, Nick, when you cite the falloff in attacking/try scoring ability which started with the Lancaster / Nienaber transition.


The loss of injured players is also a factor, but I would only mention it in passing, not overplay that one. After all, France were missing their first choice centre pairing.


The Prendergast v Crowley debate. I have been in the “Crowley to start” camp from the get go, and for this game specially, I feel that strategically Crowley should have started. The Munster man just has that bit more to his game, that bit more toughness and variation. I would suspect the French coaching group were delighted to be looking at how they played the Irish staring 10 for this game.


Prendergast is a supreme passer of the ball, and ultra cool and balanced, probably the better goal kicker. But in that first half(as far as I have got in the game so far), he was caught twice in possession, once really bulldozed back by the French forwards. In addition, he made some poor kicking choices, and only once took the line on. He was too easy to read, never a line breaking threat. I have read he played out the full 80 at 10. That leaves me seething. The Irish coaching group repeating the mistake made in the RWC QF in France, with Crowley again not used to advantage.

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S
SK 1 hour ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

I think France have made really good improvements. They have found several players on the bench and in the wider squad who are able to now operate at the level of their starters, they have power and devastation on the bench and can change the game. Their gameplan has also evolved and they are able to stay in the fight for longer. Fitness and conditioning seems to have become primary work ons. They have worked massively on breakdown where they forced so many turnovers and always slowed down Irelands ball. How many times did you see a French hand on the ball fighting the first and second cleaner tooth and nail for access before being shoved off of it? They become like a pack of rabid dogs on turnover and transitions, they counter so much better now and you can see elements of the Bordeaux and Toulouse game written all over the team. Its almost like a swarm when they counter. They have great alignment between the Top 14 and the national team and they have a group of players who are well versed in playing this style. You could see clearly in this game why both Galthie and Erasmus now fancy a 7-1 stack against Ireland. It is by and large to overpower them and demolish their breakdown. Irelands attack has devolved. Its now more metronomic than creative. It involves phase after phase of attritional attack and hordes of possession but it lacks creativity and purpose after the second or third phase. The Ireland attack of old kept teams guessing. You didnt know if they were gonna go wide or close in, you had to worry about the offload, the inside pass, the blindside and the hooker on the wing. Now it seems like they move the ball side to side while patiently waiting for the dam wall to break. They also lack pace and bite in the outside channels without Hansen and Lowe. Nash and Osborne were not on it and they struggled to contain the outside French backs who were incredible. France had more leaders that stood up, more grit and more power and it all proved too much for Ireland to handle.

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N
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LONG READ
LONG READ Mick Cleary: 'Maro has drawn something from England. One day, those small steps might turn into a stride.' Mick Cleary: 'Maro has drawn something from England. One day, those small steps might turn into a stride.'
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