Crusaders keep their powder dry
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has resisted the temptation to rush back some of his high-profile All Blacks for their second Super Rugby pre-season game.
The seven-time champions take on the Hurricanes on Saturday in the small rural service town of Eketahuna, the most southerly in the Tararua District in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand.
Despite last week's opening loss to the Highlanders, All Blacks like Luke Whitelock and Dan Carter will play off the bench.
Tom Taylor starts in the No.10 jersey ahead of Carter, who continues to nurse a calf niggle.
With Willi Heinz ruled out of the season with a horrific leg injury suffered in the Crusaders' 26-29 loss to the Highlanders, and Andy Ellis' return from Japan still a couple weeks away, unheralded Billy Guyton steps in to fill the void at No.9.
Joe Moody and Taylor will start the game, while Carter will be on the bench.
Blair Prinsep, Jack Stratton and David Havilli will play in the Crusaders jersey for the first time when they come off the bench this weekend.
Crusaders Coach Todd Blackadder said the team is looking forward to playing this pre-season match in rural New Zealand.
"This is rugby in the heartland, and that's what we love about it," Blackadder said.
"This may be Hurricanes territory, but many of our boys have grown up playing their rugby on country grounds just like this so I think they'll feel right at home there," the coach added.
"The Hurricanes are always an exciting team to play and we know to never take them lightly.
"This will be a very interesting test for the two teams and a great chance for players to pit themselves against some of the best talent in New Zealand."
Crusaders: 15 Richie Mo'unga, 14 Nafi Tuitavake, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Kieron Fonotia, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Tom Taylor, 9 Billy Guyton, 8 Jimmy Tupou, 7 Matt Todd (captain), 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements - from: Ben Funnell, Codie Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Blair Prinsep, Luke Whitelock, Jack Stratton, Tom Sanders, Dan Carter, Jed Brown, Scott Barrett, Alex Hodgman, Nathaniel Apa, David Havilli, Rob Thompson, George Bridge.
Date: Saturday, January 31
Venue: Eketahuna Rugby Club, Eketahuna
Kick-off: 15.00 (02.00 GMT)
Referees: Glen Jackson & Ben O'Keeffe
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