PREVIEW: Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa – Hurricanes v Crusaders

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Match Details: Sunday 21 June, 3:35pm at Sky Stadium

 

Referee: Brendon Pickerill

 

Played: 38

 

Won: Hurricanes 12, Crusaders 23, 3 draws

 

Last match: Crusaders 30 Hurricanes 26 on 29/6/2019

 

Tickets: bit.ly/2N1cuX9

Watch: Live on Sky Sport 1

SAVEA & FIFITA BACK IN STARTING SIDE

Ardie Savea entered the game midway through the second half of the Hurricanes loss to the Blues last weekend. It was Savea’s first game back since injuring his knee at the World Cup semi-final in October. Vaea Fifita was named on the bench but was a late scratching with a toe injury. The pair are set to bolster the Hurricanes forward pack who know their line out has to be better than it was at Eden Park.

HAVILI RETURNS

Three months after undergoing emergency bowel surgery, David Havili is back on the bench for the Crusaders. An infection saw the 25 year-old hospitalised with surgery to remove 20 centimetres from his bowel. His stats were impressive early on in the Super Rugby competition this year. He made a competition-high 14 offloads, made 258 metres and 45 carries in four matches. His versatility is key for the Crusaders and he’s going to offer a huge amount of skill off the pine on Sunday.

 

NO BARRETT’S

No Barrett’s will feature in Sunday’s battle, with both Jordie and Scott out with injury. Scott’s admission was a surprise to many, with the Crusaders skipper having scans on his foot after sustaining an injury in their internal game last weekend. Jordie is still not 100% from a shoulder injury, with Hurricanes coach Jason Holland stating earlier this week that he was only 50/50. However, All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock is hardly a terrible replacement for Scott in the Crusaders second row.

STATCHAT (Opta)

The Hurricanes have won five of their last six Super Rugby games at home to the Crusaders, however, their sole loss in that span came in their most recent home meeting against them.

Ben Lam has crossed for a try in each of his last five Super Rugby games. He has also bagged four tries in his last four games against the Crusaders.

TEAMS

Hurricanes: 1. Fraser Armstrong 2. Dane Coles (cc) 3. Tyrel Lomax 4. James Blackwell 5. Vaea Fifita 6. Reed Prinsep 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi 8. Ardie Savea 9. TJ Perenara (cc) 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop 11. Ben Lam 12. Ngani Laumape 13. Vince Aso 14. Wes Goosen 15. Chase Tiatia

Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua 17. Ben May 18. Alex Fidow 19. Scott Scrafton 20. Gareth Evans 21. Jamie Booth 22. Billy Proctor 23. Kobus Van Wyk

Crusaders: 1. Joe Moody 2. Codie Taylor © 3. Michael Alaalatoa 4. Samuel Whitelock 5. Mitchell Dunshea 6. Cullen Grace 7. Billy Harmon 8. Whetukamokamo Douglas 9. Bryn Hall 10. Richie Mo’unga 11. George Bridge 12. Jack Goodhue 13. Braydon Ennor 14. Sevu Reece 15. Will Jordan

Reserves: 16. Brodie McAlister 17. George Bower 18. Oliver Jager 19. Luke Romano 20. Ethan Blackadder 21. Mitchell Drummond 22. David Havili (vc) 23. Leicester Faingaanuku