Changes for Super Rugby Trans-Tasman

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has made a number of changes from the side that lifted the Super Rugby Aotearoa trophy for the team’s first match of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition against the Brumbies on Saturday.

Crusaders forward Codie Taylor.
Photo: PhotoSport / Andrew Cornaga

Codie Taylor will become the Crusaders’ 21st centurion and take on the captaincy duties with regular captain Scott Barrett dropping to the bench for the game in Christchurch.

Halfback Mitch Drummond and Will Jordan are rested and wing Sevu Reece is named on the bench.

In the forwards, Mitch Dunshea will partner Sam Whitelock as the starting locks and Brendon O’Connor joins the match day team in place of Sione Havili Talitui, who has been ruled out with concussion symptoms.

Bryn Hall has been named to start at halfback and in a backline reshuffle George Bridge drops to fullback, Leicester Fainga’anuku moves to the left wing and Braydon Ennor and Manasa Mataele both earn their first starts of the 2021 season.

Taylor’s milestone match will be celebrated with a pre-match guard of honour from Sydenham Rugby Club as he leads the team out on to Orangetheory Stadium.

“Codie is not only a world-class player, he’s an empathetic leader who knows how to get the best out of those around him and sets high standards in our environment,” Robertson said.

Chiefs Head Coach Clayton McMillan has also made changes for his side’s opening round game against the Western Force in Perth on Sunday morning.

Bay of Plenty hooker Nathan Harris will join propping duo of Aidan Ross and Angus Ta’avao with Waikato hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho shifting to the bench and locks Josh Lord and Tupou Vaa’i complete the tight five.

An unchanged loose forward combination will round out the forward pack with Chiefs veteran Liam Messam covering in the reserves.

Co-captain Brad Weber will combine with All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie in the halves, shifting Bryn Gatland to the bench while the midfield combination of Alex Nankivell and All Black Anton Lienert-Brown remains unchanged.

Jonah Lowe shifts to the left wing with Shaun Stevenson starting on the right wing and fullback Chase Tiatia moves into the starting side.

“We are excited for the opportunity to get back on the road again and play our counterparts over in Australia. We are disappointed we did not get the job done last weekend in Christchurch against the Crusaders. However, we are fortunate that this competition allows us to jump right back into work. It will test our environment and challenge us as a team to bounce back and deliver on the field once again,” McMillan said.

Crusaders team to play the Brumbies:

1. George Bower

2. Codie Taylor (C)

3. Michael Alaalatoa

4. Mitchell Dunshea

5. Samuel Whitelock

6. Ethan Blackadder

7. Tom Sanders

8. Cullen Grace

9. Bryn Hall

10. Richie Mo’unga

11. Leicester Fainga’anuku

12. David Havili (VC)

13. Braydon Ennor

14. Manasa Mataele

15. George Bridge

Reserves:

16. Brodie McAlister

17. Tamaiti Williams

18. Oliver Jager

19. Scott Barrett

20. Brendon O’Connor

21. Ereatara Enari

22. Fergus Burke

23. Sevu Reece

Chiefs team to play the Western Force:

1. Aidan Ross

2. Nathan Harris

3. Angus Ta’avao

4. Josh Lord

5. Tupou Vaa’i

6. Pita Gus Sowakula

7. Lachlan Boshier

8. Luke Jacobson

9. Brad Weber

10. Damian McKenzie

11. Jonah Lowe

12. Alex Nankivell

13. Anton Lienert-Brown

14. Shaun Stevenson

15. Chase Tiatia

Reserves:

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho

17. Ollie Norris

18. Joe Apikotoa

19. Zane Kapeli

20. Liam Messam

21. Xavier Roe

22. Bryn Gatland

23. Bailyn Sullivan