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Crusaders
29
Match Complete
Moana Pasifika
45
| R. Reihana |  | 75 | ||
| M. Drummond |  | 74 | ||
| 66 | | P. Pellegrini | ||
| 65 | | P. Patafilo | ||
| 63 | | P. Pellegrini | ||
| 62 | | M. Faiilagi | ||
| J. O'Connor | | 53 | ||
| C. Taylor | | 52 | ||
| M. Springer | | 49 | ||
| 46 |  | P. Pellegrini | ||
| 35 | | P. Pellegrini | ||
| 34 | | P. Pellegrini | ||
| 25 | | P. Pellegrini | ||
| 24 | | D. Toala | ||
| J. O'Connor | | 20 | ||
| 17 | | P. Pellegrini | ||
| 16 | | A. Savea | ||
| J. O'Connor | | 7 | ||
| I. Moananu | | 6 | ||
| 3 | | P. Pellegrini | ||
| 2 | | A. Savea |
| 4 | Tries | 6 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 6 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea and winger Solomon Alaimalo return to the starting lineup as they travel to Christchurch to face the Crusaders on Saturday (5.05pm AEDT). Join The Roar for live score updates.
There are five changes in the forwards with Tito Tuipulotu earning his first start at prop and tighthead Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou rejoining the starting 15. Samuel Slade also links up with Allan Craig to form a rugged lock pairing.
Semisi Paea is set to make his first start of the year at openside flanker.
Tevita Ofa earns his debut start on the right wing. Fullback William Havili will face his older brother and captain of the Crusaders, David Havili.
On the bench, experienced Samoan international Alamanda Motuga will make his maiden appearance of the year. Motuga was part of the Samoa sevens side that competed in their first ever Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
Wallaby James O’Connor gets his first start for the Crusaders.
Jamie Hannah makes his long-awaited return to lock following a shoulder injury that’s kept him sidelined since the start of the season. He’ll be paired at lock with All Black Scott Barrett.
George Bower will start at prop alongside Fletcher Newell, while Ioane Moananu will start at hooker following his man of the match performance against the Blues last week at Eden Park.
Cullen Grace will keep the No.6 jersey while Ethan Blackadder returns from injury to start at openside.
22-year-old Fletcher Anderson is another that’s back from injury and will round out the forward pack at number 8.
Noah Hotham is back starting at halfback, alongside O’Connor at 10.
After making his Crusaders debut against the Western Force, Xavier Saifoloi is back in the reserves, as is Rivez Reihana, who has recovered from an ankle injury.
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Ioane Moananu, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Jamie Hannah, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Fletcher Anderson, Noah Hotham, James O’Connor, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Seb Calder, Quinten Strange, Xavier Saifoloi, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Levi Aumua
PASIFIKA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Sam Slade, Allan Craig, Miracle Faillagi, Semisi Paea, Ardie Savea (c), Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Solomon Alaimalo, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Pepesana Patafilo, Tevita Ofa, William Havili
Replacements: Sama Malolo, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Alamanda Motuga, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tuna Tuitama
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Mike Winter, Jeremy Markey
TMO: Angus Mabey
Hide Preview
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.