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Hat-trick hero promoted for Crusaders in team to play Chiefs

84 days ago

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 14: Kyle Preston of the Crusaders celebrates after scoring a try with Levi Aumua of the Crusaders during the round one Super Rugby Pacific match between Crusaders and Hurricanes at Apollo Projects Stadium, on February 14, 2025, in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

The Crusaders have made minor changes to the team that beat the Hurricanes in round one ahead of their trip to Hamilton to face the Chiefs in round two.

All Black Noah Hotham has been ruled out of the game with an ankle sprain, making way for rookie Kyle Preston who scored three tries in his debut last Friday.

Preston will join Waikato native Taha Kemara in the halves. The young playmaker lining up as the starting No. 10 for the first time in his hometown at Super Rugby level.

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“I think I’ve got about 20 tickets for the game; it’s going to be cool to play in front of my family and against a few of my mates – but it’s probably not home at the moment. Home is Christchurch right now, ” Kemara said.

While only one week into the new season, Crusaders head coach Rob Penney was happy to label the Chiefs as the team to beat after their big win over the Blues in Auckland in round one.

“Going up to their home ground we are excited for the opportunity and it’s the best against the best of the country at the moment.”

Crusaders team to face Chiefs

Tamaiti Williams
Ioane Moananu
Fletcher Newell
Scott Barrett
Antonio Shalfoon
Cullen Grace
(VC) Ethan Blackadder
Christian Lio-Willie
Kyle Preston
Taha Kemara
Sevu Reece
(C) David Havili
Levi Aumua
Chay Fihaki
(VC) Will Jordan

Reserves

Manumaua Letiu
George Bower
Sam Matenga
Tahlor Cahill
Corey Kellow
Mitchell Drummond
James O’Connor
Dallas McLeod

Injury status

Codie TAYLOR, Hamstring, 2 weeks
Rivez REIHANA, Ankle, 2-3 weeks
Seb CALDER, AC Joint, 2-3 weeks
Quin STRANGE, Pec/Hamstring, 4 weeks
Dom GARDINER, Hamstring, 4-6 weeks
Jamie HANNAH, Shoulder (surgery), 4 weeks
Aki TUIVAILALA, Finger (surgery), 4 weeks
Johnny McNICHOLL, Hamstring, 4-6 weeks
Noah HOTHAM, Ankle, Unclear currently
Kershawl SYKES-MARTIN, Medial ligament (knee), 5-6 weeks
Braydon ENNOR, Wrist (surgery), Unclear currently
George BELL, Planter plate (foot), 16-20 weeks
Finaly BREWIS, Shoulder (surgery), Out for the season

Comments

6 Comments

GP 83 days ago

Kyle Preston made one of the most memorable debuts in Super Rugby history with the Crusaders last Friday. 3 tries, brilliant . Hooker Ioane Moananu really played well at hooker , as did his debuting replacement, Letia. Taha Kemara looks great and James O’Connor did well when he came. Same goes for Dallas McLeod. Levi Aumua is fitter and hence better. David Havili lead the team around so well. Then there is Will Jordan. Looking forward to Codie Taylor and Braydon Ennor, others being back.

JW 84 days ago

“Going up to their home ground we are excited for the opportunity and it’s the best against the best of the country at the moment.”

Haha Penney happy to ride the wave of a win at the right end of the season!

I gotta say here and in the post match interview last week he seemed like the most ungenuine person and gloater in SR history. He sounded like an Irish panelist from 2022.

That’s a pretty tough injury list to deal with, again.

GP 83 days ago

You are completely misrepresenting Rob Penney’s persona. Sounds more like Clayton McMillan.

lK 84 days ago

Such composure from the Crusader newbies. Round One was a blinder across the entire competition. Looking forward to Round 2

JW 84 days ago

Moananu and Preston were a class above last week.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 1 day ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 1 day ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 1 day ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 1 day ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

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Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 1 day ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 1 day ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍