Crusaders to play French XV during hiatus
The Crusaders will play a French XV in Christchurch on June 15.
Although the Super Rugby champions have yet to officially release details such as ticket prices and the kick-off time, it is understood they are close to finalising details for the game at AMI Stadium.
France are scheduled to tour New Zealand to play the All Blacks in a three-test series when Super Rugby goes into recess in June, with internationals to be played in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin.
The Crusaders game, to be staged on the night prior to the second test at Westpac Stadium in the capital, will be a welcome addition to the rugby calendar for Cantabrians given New Zealand Rugby has stated Christchurch won’t host test matches until at least 2020.
Last year NZ Rugby confirmed Christchurch will be wiped off the test schedule for 2018 and 2019, citing concerns about the facilities offered by the temporary stadium which was build in Addington after the 2011 earthquakes and infrastructure. The cities of Dunedin and Nelson, the latter has been awarded the Rugby Championship between the All Blacks test and Argentina on September 8, will be the only South Island centres to host international games this season.
Although Crusaders coach Scott Robertson won’t be able to field his strongest line-up against the French XV, because the majority of his most experienced men will be in camp with the All Blacks in Wellington, he will back the depth in his squad to ensure his team is competitive against the second-string French side.
The Crusaders contributed 14 players to the All Blacks when they toured the northern hemisphere late last year, while Israel Dagg, Owen Franks and Joe Moody were unavailable because of injuries.
While the majority of those selected for the tour will again be required to join the All Blacks, it’s highly unlikely all will be invited to prepare for the tests.
When the Crusaders met England, who were touring New Zealand at the time, in a mid-week game in 2014 then-coach Todd Blackadder fielded a team comprising a collection of mostly nontest players.
Of those who started in the 38-7 loss to England, only Corey Flynn, George Whitelock and Luke Whitelock and Tom Taylor had represented the All Blacks.
Last year the Crusaders fielded a near full-strength side against the touring British and Irish Lions at AMI Stadium and lost 12-3.
Adding this game to the Crusaders calendar should splash more numbers on to the club’s balance sheet.
Last year the Crusaders Limited Partnership recorded a $328,000 surplus, thanks to hosting two play-off games and earning a six-figure fee for appearing in the final in Johannesburg.
The All Blacks also played a French XV in Lyon on November 14, winning 28-23.
It is understood the game, which was tagged on to the original schedule mapped-out by World Rugby, earned NZ Rugby a fee of around $1 million.
The Crusaders are also scheduled to play in a ‘‘World Series Rugby’’ match against the Western Force in Perth on June 22.
The first game after Super Rugby’s recess for the tests will be against the Highlanders in Christchurch on July 6.