More woe for Crusaders as they lose All Blacks star ahead of Super Rugby Pacific derby with Hurricanes
Crusaders captain Scott Barrett.
After a horrible start to the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, the Crusaders suffered another setback with the news that their captain Scott Barrett has been sidelined for six weeks due to injury.
The All Blacks utility forward will miss Friday’s derby against the Hurricanes in Christchurch after he broke his finger during a training session ahead of last weekend’s 20-10 defeat to the Fijian Drua in Lautoka.
David Havili takes over the captaincy
With Barrett sidelined, All Blacks inside centre David Havili takes over the captaincy and he forms a midfield combination with Levi Aumua while Crusaders head coach Rob Penney has named Riley Hohepa to start at fly-half.
Hohepa comes into the starting line-up at the expense of Taha Kemara, who drops out of the matchday squad, and will form a half-back partnership with experienced England international Willi Heinz.
Munster announce clash against All Blacks XV as ‘long and rich’ tradition continues
Meanwhile, Chay Fihaki continues at full-back alongside the wings Sevu Reece and Macca Springer, who replaces Manasa Mataele.
In the forwards, Zach Gallagher takes over from Barrett at lock and he joins Quinten Strange in the engine room while the back-row remains unchanged with Cullen Grace starting at number eight with Tom Christie and Dominic Gardiner the two flankers.
It’s the same situation in the front-row with George Bell continuing at hooker and he packs down alongside Fletcher Newell and George Bower, who are the starting props.
There are also some alterations on the replacements bench with Finlay Brewis and Owen Franks coming into the matchday squad as the reserve props while Jone Rova and Riley Hohepa are also added as backline replacements.
Crusaders team to face the Hurricanes
Crusaders: 15 Chay Fihaki, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Levi Aumua, 12 David Havili (c), 11 Macca Springer, 10 Riley Hohepa, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Cullen Grace, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Dominic Gardiner, 5 Zach Gallagher, 4 Quinten Strange, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 George Bell, 1 George Bower
Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 Finlay Brewis, 18 Owen Franks, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Tahlor Cahill, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Ryan Crotty, 23 Dallas McLeod
Date: Friday, March 15
Venue: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:05 local (06:05 GMT)
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Jono Bredin (New Zealand), Fraser Hannon (New Zealand)
TMO: Chris Hart (New Zealand)
