Super rugby
It’s back
Anyone worried the Crusaders might tread on a snare and take the battling Blues lightly need not bother.
Forget the fact the Blues haven’t won a New Zealand derby since round one of the 2016 season, a gander at coach Scott Robertson’s 23 to play the Auckland-based Blues at Eden Park tomorrow night tells you all you need to know.
Unlike some New Zealand franchises, the third-year Crusaders coach hasn’t hogtied some of his All Blacks by easing them into the new season.
‘‘We’ve obviously gone the opposite way around. We want to get the combos right early,’’ Robertson said
Despite Sam Whitelock, Kieran Read and Codie Taylor being on extended leave, and centre Jack Goodhue ruled out with a groin strain, Robertson has named 13 players who have been involved with the All Blacks in his 23, including 10 in the starting side.
‘‘He [Goodhue] had a slight, tight groin, and just with the length of the season, and doing the right thing by him, we gave him the extra week to come right. He potentially could have played, but the best thing for him is to make sure it’s 100 [per cent],’’ Robertson said.
The Crusaders’ XV includes openside flanker Matt Todd, who will captain the back-to-back champions until Whitelock returns during round five, and his vice-captain – second-five eighth Ryan Crotty.
With Goodhue sidelined, 21-year-old Braydon Ennor will start outside Crotty in the No 13 jersey.
Ennor predominantly played centre through secondary school, and for the New Zealand under20s, but was mostly utilised on the wing during his rookie season with the Crusaders last year. However, fresh off a Mitre 10 Cup campaign with Canterbury in the midfield, Ennor got the nod over veteran Tim Bateman.
‘‘He’s more than comfortable,’’ Robertson said. ‘‘As you know, Braydon’s speed is his greatest strength, and he’s a big strong boy and he’s ready to go.
‘‘It’s tough on Tim Bateman, he is looking strong as well. But that’s the great thing about having depth, you have to have tough conversations and someone has to miss out.’’
Third-year Tasman lock Quinten Strange will start in place of Whitelock, while the returning Whetukamokamo Douglas will play No 8 with Read unavailable until March 16.
Loose forward Ethan Blackadder was unavailable for selection due to a shoulder injury, although Robertson noted it wasn’t serious.
With Seta Tamanivalu now earning his coin in France, nephew Manasa Mataele has been rewarded for an impressive pre-season and will start in the No 14 jersey, opposite try-scoring gun George Bridge.
Will Jordan, who missed his entire rookie campaign with concussion last year, has been named on the bench and will make his Super debut when Robertson injects him into the fixture.
‘‘Obviously a prestigious talent. You could see in the preseason, his ability to beat players and take opportunities, he’s definitely got an eye for a gap and a bit of extra speed.
‘‘He’s a good local boy, he always dreamed of being a Crusader, so it’s a dream for him this weekend.’’
20 Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Age: 32. Position: Hooker. Granted, it’s been a while since Coles put in a full Super Rugby shift. But hope springs eternal. And you have to think he’s been a missing ingredient for the Hurricanes the last couple of seasons as they’ve ceded top spot to the Crusaders.
Can he get back to that roving, ball-playing, X-factor best of his pomp? It’s going to be a challenge, but even Coles at 80 percent of what he was will be a big factor in a Canes pack expected to have its issues in 2019. World Cup repercussions too. 19 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)
Age: 30 Position: Second-five/ centre A top-20 spot for the ultimate ‘Glue Guy’. Crotty might not be the flashiest type, nor the swiftest; but he makes everybody around him better because he does all the little things that make a backline efficient.
Midfield partnership with Jack Goodhue is quality, great understanding with Richie Mo’unga and a vital leader for the smooth-running ‘Saders. In a tight midfield squeeze for the RWC, he looks a must-have.
18 Waisake Naholo (Highlanders) Age: 27. Position: wing.
Still a world-class strikeforce on the wing and a big part of the Highlanders’ game at its best. If the southerners are to contend again they have to get the ball in his hands as often as possible.
The Landers back themselves to make tackles and play territory, then strike when chances arise. But they need Naholo running into holes whenever possible. One of many senior ABs in his farewell campaign, and needs a big one to stay in the RWC mix.
17 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers) Age: 26. Position: Lock/loose forward.
Big, bad and in the form of his life. South African rugby’s player of the year for two of the last three years is the driving force for any hope the Stormers have of returning to finals footy.
A workhorse around the field, Du Toit stuffs the stats in areas such as tackles, carries and lineout takes. Seems to save his best for the green jersey of his country, but the rebuilding Stormers need him at full noise from minute one in 2019.
16 Kieran Read (Crusaders) Age: 33. Position: No 8.
The All Blacks skip will be digging deep for his final year in New Zealand. Coming off that delicate back surgery at the end of 2017, he’s managed ultra carefully these days with a watchful eye on keeping petrol in the tank for the test season.
So though not the influence he
once was for the Crusaders, still a class act and big-time performer when it really matters. Delayed entry and load management will limit impact early, but expect him to be firing round the back half of the Super season.
15 Israel Folau (Waratahs) Age: 29. Position: Fullback/ centre.
Think what you like about his views on certain matters, this guy remains a class act on the rugby field and a major part of whatever the Waratahs hope to achieve in this competition.
There is no one better in the air than this gifted athlete and though he can drift in and out of games a little, when he’s engaged and dialled in he is an absolute matchwinner. Tahs need him at his best to go any better than a quarterfinal exit.
14 Matt Todd (Crusaders) Age: 30. Position: Flanker.
Absolutely vital to whatever the Crusaders do. Outstanding allround No 7, brilliant linkman, defends stoutly, attacks breakdown and thrives in the structured, disciplined style of the back-to-back champions.
With so many world-class players around him, Todd understands his role and the freedom he has to execute it. There’s a reason he’s been popping back and forth to Japan the last few years. They know what a valuable performer he is.
13 Duane Vermeulen (Bulls) Age: 32. Position: Loose forward.
As tough and rugged as they come. Vermeulen is the go-to goforward guy for every team he plays for. He invariably gets over the gain-line and commands huge respect from opposition.
Back in South African rugby for the first time since 2015, he will be the chief influence in a big Bulls pack that will key off his formidable qualities, and needs to stay injury-free for them to sustain their challenge.
12 Codie Taylor (Crusaders) Age: 27. Position: Hooker.
The All Blacks No 2 is right on top of his game and looks well placed to deliver another world-class season for his franchise. Very good at his core roles, but has developed his fitness, workrate and skillset to become a major factor all over the park.
When the Crusaders have their hooker popping passes out wide and crashing over to finish sweeping, multi-phase plays they are tough to beat. He says he is aiming to lift his standards even higher in 2019.
11 Michael Hooper (Waratahs)
Age: 27 Position: Openside flanker.
As good as it gets in the Aussie game. Tough, tenacious, resilient and highly skilled around the breakdown and running support lines. A constant for a Tahs side that would be lost without his leadership, stellar play and inspirational presence.
Must just keep on keeping on if the Tahs are to stay top of what looks an improved Aussie conference this year. Expect him to do just that.