Taylor hooks into captaincy

Crusaders hooker Codie Taylor will take over the captaincy from Scott Barrett in his 100th match for the franchise.

The 30-year-old will reach the milestone against the Brumbies in Christchurch tomorrow night, when the red and blacks begin their quest for more silverware in the Trans-tasman competition.

Regular skipper Barrett has been named on the bench for the campaign opener, one of a few tweaks head coach Scott Robertson has made from the team which won the Super Rugby Aotearoa crown last weekend.

The decision to rest fullback Will Jordan, who took a knock to the foot in the decider, and the naming of Sevu Reece on the bench, has prompted a reshuffle in the backs.

George Bridge will start at fullback with Leicester Fainga’anuku and Manasa Mataele on the wings, while centre Braydon Ennor will make his first Super Rugby start since rupturing his ACL last September.

Halfback Mitchell Drummond has also been spelled this week, meaning halfback Ere Enari is in line to earn his first minutes of the season via the bench.

The same goes for loose forward Brendon O’connor, who has been named on the bench for Sione Havili Talitui (concussion). O’connor last played for the

Crusaders in 2012.

Captaining the Crusaders is far from foreign for Taylor, who led the team to a title while Barrett was rehabilitating a foot injury last year.

The regular vice-captain is set to become the 21st Crusader to crack 100 matches, and the third this year after prop Joe Moody and Drummond. Halfback Bryn Hall, who started his career for the Blues, also reached 100 Super

Rugby games.

Taylor debuted in 2013, a couple of years after he joined the wider squad.

‘‘I remember when I was first in the squad in 2011, just the wider training group, the calibre of people in the group. X many All Blacks, world players of the year, Richie [Mccaw], DC [Dan Carter], all that.

‘‘It was quite intimidating. I didn’t say too much for the first couple years, kept my head down and just got about my business. Then got an opportunity a couple of years later.’’

Winning the 2017 final against the Lions in Johannesburg, a result which snapped a titledrought, stands out for Taylor among his first 99 games.

Asked how much the franchise had changed since he’d been a part of it, the top try scorer in Super Rugby Aotearoa said the foundations – hard work and work ethic – remained, but there had been change elsewhere.

‘‘I think the connection part of it has really grown since I’ve first come into the group. Not saying it wasn’t there in the earlier days, but I think that’s gone a long way to getting success in the last few years.

‘‘Just that culture, Razor’s drive with all the detail within our game goes a long way as well, and all the other coaches. I think that’s a real step up from what I first experienced to now.’’

Robertson called Taylor a ‘‘great Crusader’’ who epitomised everything they’re about.

‘‘His work ethic is phenomenal, he’s got better with age, and experience and his leadership, he captained us last year to a trophy.

‘‘He’s a vice-captain who leads with not just mana and heart, but also a compassion for the team. He understands how to get the best out of the young fellas. He can also look you in the eye and tell you that’s not our standard as well.’’