News

BNZ Crusaders team named to take on the Blues at Eden Park

Details Published: 17 May 2018

The BNZ Crusaders now prepare for a series of New Zealand derbies leading in to the June international window, starting this weekend with the Blues at Eden Park.



Head Coach Scott Robertson has named his starting side for this match, which features six changes and one positional switch from the side that took the field against the Waratahs on Saturday night.

In the front row, Tim Perry makes his return from the hamstring injury he sustained against the Brumbies in round 11, and will start at loosehead prop. Owen Franks also returns to the starting side this week, and Mike Alaalatoa moves to the reserves.

Quinten Strange steps in to the starting team this week in place of regular captain Sam Whitelock, with Matt Todd to lead the side in his absence. The only other change in the forward pack sees Heiden Bedwell-Curtis take the starting spot in the No. 6 jersey, and Pete Samu will provide cover on the bench.

In the backs, Vice-Captain Ryan Crotty returns this week, and will line up in the midfield alongside Jack Goodhue. Outside back George Bridge will shift from fullback to the left wing for this game, and David Havili will wear the No. 15 jersey. Manasa Mataele, having recovered from the head knock he suffered against the Waratahs, takes a spot on the bench.

Kick off is 7:35pm, Saturday 19 May, at Eden Park in Auckland.

BNZ Crusaders team to play the Blues:





1. Tim Perry RESERVES 2. Codie Taylor 16. Andrew Makalio 3. Owen Franks 17. Wyatt Crockett 4. Scott Barrett 18. Michael Alaalatoa 5. Quinten Strange 19. Mitchell Dunshea 6. Heiden Bedwell-Curtis 20. Pete Samu 7. Matt Todd (C) 21. Mitchell Drummond 8. Jordan Taufua 22. Mitchell Hunt 9. Bryn Hall 23. Manasa Mataele 10. Richie Mo'unga 11. George Bridge 12. Ryan Crotty (VC) 13. Jack Goodhue 14. Seta Tamanivalu 15. David Havili



This week is Bullying-Free NZ Week and the BNZ Crusaders have teamed up with real estate agency, Bayleys, to support young people in the region, with the launch of a new anti-bullying picture book ‘Ace: A Horsey Tail of Courage’. The book, aimed at New Zealand school children between the ages of 5-8 years, follows the journey of Ace, a young horse who is bullied by his peers and grows up to become one of the Crusaders Bayleys horses to feature at all home games.







Books are available to pre-order now, and will be sold at the BNZ Crusaders home games against the Highlanders on Friday 6 July and the Blues on Saturday 14 July, for $20 each. To pre-order your copy of ‘Ace: A Horsey Tail of Courage’ click here.

To learn more about the book, click here to view Bayleys anti-bullying video featuring BNZ Crusaders' captain Sam Whitelock.

Tickets for all of the BNZ Crusaders 2018 Investec Super Rugby games are available via www.ticketdirect.co.nz, or at one of Ticket Direct's official outlets. Please avoid purchasing tickets through resale sites such as Viagogo, as these tickets won't be accepted at AMI Stadium.

