Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Ex-Wallaby James O’Connor named in Crusaders’ reserves for Blues clash

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Former Queensland Reds and Wallabies playmaker James O’Connor joins multiple All Blacks in the Crusaders’ side to take on the Blues in Kirwee on Friday afternoon. O’Connor has been named to come off the pine in the team’s first pre-season match of the year.

ADVERTISEMENT

All Blacks backrower Ethan Blackadder will captain the star-studded side that features other capped New Zealand internationals such as Cullen Grace, Noah Hotham, Dallas McLeod, George Bower, George Bell and Mitchell Drummond.

Blackadder will pack down in a formidable loose forwards trio that includes Grace and Corey Kellow. Tahlor Cahill joins Antonio Shalfoon in the middle row, while Finlay Brewis, Ioane Moananu and Seb Calder round out the starting pack as the three front rowers.

Video Spacer
Sam Cane after his 100th Test for the All Blacks and TJ Perenara after his last home game | All Blacks post-match
Sam Cane after his 100th Test for the All Blacks and TJ Perenara after his last home game talk to the media after the All Blacks 33-13 win over the Wallabies in Wellington.
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Video Spacer

       

      View this post on Instagram

       

      A post shared by Crusaders (@crusadersrugbyteam)

      One-Test All Black Hotham joins first five-eighth Taha Kemara in the halves, while McLeod and powerhouse centre Levi Aumua will link up in the midfield. Former New Zealand U20 winger Macca Springer and Chay Fihaki will line up on the left and right wings respectively.

      Isaac Hutchinson, who received Canterbury’s Rookie of the Year in 2024 after a strong National Provincial Championship campaign, has been named as the starting fullback for the intriguing clash between two rival teams in front of more than 3,000 supporters.

      Rookie Xavier Saifoloi, the Crusaders’ Bronco ‘winner’ Kyle Preston, and James O’Connor are among an impressive group of players who will look to make their mark after being named to provide impact off the bench.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      As for the Blues, they’ve named a team for each half ahead of the clash which kicks off at 3:00 pm. Ricky Riccitelli, Angus Ta’avao, Cameron Suafoa, Finlay Christie, captain Harry Plummer and fullback Zarn Sullivan headline the side for the first half.

      After the break, Kurt Eklund, Sam Nock, Rico Simpson, Xavi Taele and Cole Forbes will line up as they look to seize their opportunity. Seven players have been named as replacement options for either half.

      This match will feature 20-minute quarters and rolling substitutions.

      Crusaders to take on Blues at Kirwee Rugby Club

      1. Finlay Brewis
      2. Ioane Moananu
      3. Seb Calder
      4. Tahlor Cahill
      5. Antonio Shalfoon
      6. Cullen Grace
      7. Ethan Blackadder (c)
      8. Corey Kellow
      9. Noah Hotham
      10. Taha Kemara
      11. Macca Springer
      12. Dallas McLeod
      13. Levi Aumua
      14. Chay Fihaki
      15. Isaac Hutchinson

      Reserves

      George Bower, George Bell, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Hunter Morrison, Liam Jack, Xavier Saifoloi, Tom Christie, Johnny Lee, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, James Cameron, Toby Bell, Nic Sauira, Maloni Kunawave, Harry Inch, Mitchell Drummond, Gus Brown, Eli Oudenryn, Sam Matenga, Campbell Parata

      ADVERTISEMENT


      To be first in line for Rugby World Cup 2027 Australia tickets, register your interest here 

      ADVERTISEMENT

      Boks Office | Episode 35 | Six Nations Round 2 Review

      O2 Inside Line: This Rose | Episode 3 | France Week

      Second round of the Men's Six Nations | Whistle Watch

      Harlequins vs Bristol Bears | PWR 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

      Yokohama Canon Eagles vs Saitama Wildknights | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

      Watch now: Lomu - The Lost Tapes

      The Dupont Ploy: How France went from underdogs to Olympic gods | The Report

      Former rugby player is truly an NFL superstar | Walk the Talk | Jordan Mailata

      Trending on RugbyPass

      Comments

      3 Comments
      J
      JW 19 days ago

      Coverage where you are Finn?


      I'm looking forward to seeing Preston at a higher level. No idea what that blokes been doing but I thought he was class when I saw him in the NPC last season and reckon he could easily take over the 9 jersey this year given that despite him not playing much rugby I do think he looks every bit as calm and composed as the 26yo that he is.

      G
      GP 16 days ago

      I was at the game and I thought Kyle Preston was classy in his time on the field. He will add a lot to the Crusaders. I also thought James O'Connor who the article was about made a big difference when he came on for the last 2 Quarters.

      Load More Comments

      Join free and tell us what you really think!

      Sign up for free
      ADVERTISEMENT

      Latest Features

      Comments on RugbyPass

      TRENDING
      TRENDING England A forced into fly-half switch ahead of Ireland date England A forced into fly-half switch ahead of Ireland date
      Search