Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has chosen to rest a number of his star All Blacks for their Super Rugby opener against the Waratahs in Nelson on Saturday.
Register your interest for the British & Irish Lions tickets in South Africa 2021
Kick-off is at 08:05 (SA time).
George Bridge (wing) and Joe Moody (loosehead prop) are not in the match-day 23 for this fixture, while fellow internationals Codie Taylor (hooker), Luke Romano (lock) and Sevu Reece (wing) have been named on the bench.
All Blacks Scott Barrett will captain the side.
Will Jordan and Leicester Fainga'anuku have taken Bridge and Reece's spots on the wings and they are joined in the back three by experienced fullback David Havili.
Jack Goodhue and Braydon Ennor line up in midfield while All Blacks flyhalf Richie Mo'unga forms a half-back combination with Mitchell Drummond.
Up front, Barrett is joined in the second-row by Mitchell Dunshea and Andrew Makalio (hooker) packs down in the front-row alongside prop Oliver Jager and George Bower.
Whetu Douglas starts at No 8, while Tom Sanders and Tom Christie are the two flankers.
Teams:
Crusaders
15 David Havili, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 Leicester Fainga'anuku, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Mitchell Dunshea, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Oliver Jager, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 George Bower
Substitutes: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Isi Tu’ungafasi, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Cullen Grace, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Sevu Reece
Waratahs
15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Lalaki Foketi, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Alex Newsome, 10 Will Harrison, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Jed Holloway, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Rob Simmons (captain), 4 Tom Staniforth, 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Robbie Abel, 1 Tom Robertson
Substitutes: 16 Damian Fitzpatrick, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Chris Talakai, 19 Ryan McCauley, 20 Jack Dempsey, 21 Carlo Tizanno, 22 Mitch Short, 23 Jack Maddocks
- TeamTalk Media
