Northern Edition

Select Edition

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

Scott Barrett and Jack Goodhue get positional shifts for Crusaders' clash with Drua

Scott Barrett. (Photo by Martin Hunter/Photosport)

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has made a swathe of changes to his side for their upcoming match with the Fijian Drua in Christchurch.

ADVERTISEMENT

Currently sitting level with the Brumbies on competition points but behind them in third place on the overall ladder due to a worse win-loss ratio, the Crusaders need two wins in the final two rounds of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season to give them their best chance of jumping into second spot.

But with a number of players once again available following injuries and illness, as well as a number of All Blacks still requiring a week off, Robertson has opted to rotate his side for their clash with the electric Drua.

Video Spacer

The key to stopping the Blues.

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 57:15
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 57:15
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    The key to stopping the Blues.

    The seven big omissions from Friday’s line-up are front-rowers George Bower and Codie Taylor, loose forwards Pablo Matera and Cullen Grace, first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga, midfielder David Havili and fullback Will Jordan. All seven internationals have been major contributors for the Crusaders this season, with Taylor and Mo’unga making nine appearances to date and the remaining contingent hitting double figures.

    There are also two intriguing positional changes to the team with captain Scott Barrett moving from the second row to blindside flanker and Jack Goodhue shifting in one place from outside centre to second five.

    In the front row, Finlay Brewis and Ricky Jackson take over from Bower and the injured Taylor (rib cartilage sprain) and will partner with Fletcher Newell.

    Zach Gallagher and Sam Whitelock will combine in the second row for the third time this season while Barrett joins Tom Christie and Ethan Blackadder in the loose forwards.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Related

    With Mo’unga out of the team, Fergus Burke earns a fourth start in the No 10 jersey and will link up with the experienced Bryn Hall.

    Goodhue’s shift into 12 means his partnership with Braydon Ennor is reunited for just the second time since 2020 – a partnership coach Robertson once indicated could be the long-term solution to the Crusaders midfield.

    In the outside backs, Leicester Fainga’anuku will earn his 10th start of the season while right wing Sevu Reece will get the chance to play against his fellow Fijians. Jordan’s absence hands Chay Fihaki his sixth Super Rugby cap.

    On the bench, hooker Shilo Klein makes a first appearance since his red card incurred against the Highlanders at the start of April and will be joined by Tamaiti Willilams, Oli Jager, Dominic Gardiner and Corey Kellow as cover in the forwards. Experienced backs Mitchell Drummond, Simon Hickey and George Bridge round out the 23.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Friday night’s match between the Crusaders and Drua is due to kick off at 7:05pm NZT from Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch.

    Crusaders: Chay Fihaki, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Fergus Burke, Bryn Hall, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Zach Gallagher, Fletcher Newell, Ricky Jackson, Finlay Brewis. Reserves: Shilo Klein, Tamaiti Williams, Oli Jager, Dominic Gardiner, Corey Kellow, Mitchell Drummond, Simon Hickey, George Bridge.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    LIVE

    Hong Kong SVNS | Day 3

    Hong Kong SVNS | Day 1

    Behind the Scenes with the Australian Rugby Sevens Team in Hong Kong | HSBC SVNS Embedded | Episode 9

    The Rise of Kenya | The Report

    New Zealand in Hong Kong | Brady Rush | Sevens Wonders | Episode 4

    When the referee is put in an impossible position? | Whistle Watch

    The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

    Boks Office | Episode 38 | Six Nations Round 5 Review

    Watch now: Lomu - The Lost Tapes

    Trending on RugbyPass

    Comments

    0 Comments
    Be the first to comment...

    Join free and tell us what you really think!

    Sign up for free
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Latest Features

    Comments on RugbyPass

    A
    Alisha Grace 1 hour ago
    ‘They played for each other’: Jamie Joseph puts trust in his team ahead of Force clash

    The Team That Reclaimed My Stolen Cryptocurrency/ Hack Savvy Tech


    As an Australian student with a deep passion for studying law in the UK, I have always been committed to pursuing higher education and advancing my career. My dream was to attend one of the prestigious universities in the UK, and like many students, I was searching for scholarships to ease the financial burden of studying abroad. However, what began as an exciting opportunity soon turned into a nightmare.I came across an advertisement on Facebook for a scholarship opportunity, which promised to cover all my tuition fees and living expenses. The offer seemed too good to be true, but as a young student eager to pursue my dreams, I didn’t think twice. The scholarship application process appeared legitimate, and I was soon in contact with someone who claimed to represent a reputable organization. I was asked to pay an upfront fee as part of the application process, which I believed would be reimbursed once I received the scholarship. Excited about the possibility of studying in the UK, I didn't hesitate to pay the required amount AUD 15,000.The money I paid wasn’t just from my own savings; my parents had to borrow the money to help me fulfill my dream. They trusted that I was making the right decision, and they supported me in this endeavor, hoping that it would set me on a path to a successful future. Unfortunately, as the weeks passed, I received no updates, and all communication from the supposed scholarship provider suddenly stopped. When I tried to reach out, the contact information I had was no longer working, and the website I had applied through was taken down. Realizing that I had fallen victim to a scam, I was devastated. The money, which my parents had borrowed with great effort and sacrifice, was gone, and my hopes for studying abroad seemed shattered.Feeling helpless, I turned to various recovery services, hoping that someone could help me get my money back. Most services offered little more than false promises and vague advice, leaving me feeling more frustrated than ever. That’s when I discovered HACK SAVVY TECH. After extensive research and reading positive reviews from other scam victims, I decided to give them a try. HACK SAVVY TECH acted swiftly, gathering all the necessary information, tracking the scammer's digital footprint, and initiating the recovery process. To my relief, after several weeks, they successfully recovered the full amount of AUD 15,000. I couldn’t believe that what seemed like an impossible task had become a reality. Now, I wholeheartedly recommend HACK SAVVY TECH to fellow students and anyone who may find themselves in a similar situation. They provided me with both the expertise and the support I needed, restoring not only my finances but also my faith in the possibility of recovering from such a terrible experience. If you ever find yourself in a situation like mine, I encourage you to trust HACK SAVVY TECH they truly know how to help.


    mail: contactus@hacksavvytechnology.com

    Website: https://hacksavvytechrecovery.com

    Whatsapp : +79998295038

    0 Go to comments
    A
    Alisha Grace 2 hours ago
    Fin Smith: Northampton Saints face battle to keep England star

    As an Australian student with a deep passion for studying law in the UK, I have always been committed to pursuing higher education and advancing my career. My dream was to attend one of the prestigious universities in the UK, and like many students, I was searching for scholarships to ease the financial burden of studying abroad. However, what began as an exciting opportunity soon turned into a nightmare.I came across an advertisement on Facebook for a scholarship opportunity, which promised to cover all my tuition fees and living expenses. The offer seemed too good to be true, but as a young student eager to pursue my dreams, I didn’t think twice. The scholarship application process appeared legitimate, and I was soon in contact with someone who claimed to represent a reputable organization. I was asked to pay an upfront fee as part of the application process, which I believed would be reimbursed once I received the scholarship. Excited about the possibility of studying in the UK, I didn't hesitate to pay the required amount AUD 15,000.The money I paid wasn’t just from my own savings; my parents had to borrow the money to help me fulfill my dream. They trusted that I was making the right decision, and they supported me in this endeavor, hoping that it would set me on a path to a successful future. Unfortunately, as the weeks passed, I received no updates, and all communication from the supposed scholarship provider suddenly stopped. When I tried to reach out, the contact information I had was no longer working, and the website I had applied through was taken down. Realizing that I had fallen victim to a scam, I was devastated. The money, which my parents had borrowed with great effort and sacrifice, was gone, and my hopes for studying abroad seemed shattered.Feeling helpless, I turned to various recovery services, hoping that someone could help me get my money back. Most services offered little more than false promises and vague advice, leaving me feeling more frustrated than ever. That’s when I discovered HACK SAVVY TECH. After extensive research and reading positive reviews from other scam victims, I decided to give them a try. HACK SAVVY TECH acted swiftly, gathering all the necessary information, tracking the scammer's digital footprint, and initiating the recovery process. To my relief, after several weeks, they successfully recovered the full amount of AUD 15,000. I couldn’t believe that what seemed like an impossible task had become a reality. Now, I wholeheartedly recommend HACK SAVVY TECH to fellow students and anyone who may find themselves in a similar situation. They provided me with both the expertise and the support I needed, restoring not only my finances but also my faith in the possibility of recovering from such a terrible experience. If you ever find yourself in a situation like mine, I encourage you to trust HACK SAVVY TECH they truly know how to help.


    mail: contactus@hacksavvytechnology.com

    Website: https://hacksavvytechrecovery.com

    Whatsapp : +79998295038

    10 Go to comments
    A
    Armelle Boudreaux 8 hours ago
    Ollie Chessum back after Six Nations injury scare: All Premiership teams this weekend

    Exploring new cultures, meeting people, and experiencing the world has been a lifelong dream of mine. Last year, I decided to plan a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe. I spent months researching destinations, creating itineraries, and saving up $8000 for the adventure. When I came across a travel agency offering an unbeatable package deal, I thought I had struck gold. The website looked professional, the reviews seemed genuine, and the agent I spoke to was incredibly persuasive. I paid the full amount upfront, excited to finally make my dream trip a reality. However, as the departure date approached, I noticed red flags. My emails to the agency went unanswered, and when I tried calling, the number was disconnected. Panic set in as I realized I had been scammed. My dream trip was slipping away, and I had lost $8000.Devastated, I turned to Tech Cyber Force Recovery for help. I had heard about their success in tracing online fraud and recovering funds for victims like me. I provided them with all the details: the fake website, the transaction records, and the emails from the scammer. Tech Cyber Force Recovery team was incredibly understanding and assured me they would do everything possible to help. Using their expertise in digital forensics, they traced the scammer’s digital footprint and identified the offshore account to which my money had been transferred. They worked tirelessly with international authorities to freeze the account and recover the funds. Within a few weeks, they successfully returned the $8000 to me. The relief was indescribable. Not only did I get my money back, but I also learned valuable lessons about verifying online services and protecting myself from scams. Thanks to Tech Cyber Force Recovery, I was able to rebook my trip through a legitimate agency and finally embark on my dream adventure. They didn’t just recover my funds; they restored my faith in justice and gave me the chance to create unforgettable memories. Reach out to Tech Cyber Force Recovery Team for assistance TELEGRAM (At)techcyberforc EMAIL Tech cybers force recovery (At)cyber services(dot)com

    0 Go to comments
    LONG READ
    LONG READ Andy Farrell is draining Ireland’s resources to benefit the Lions Andy Farrell is draining Ireland’s resources to benefit the Lions
    Search