Goodhue starting for Crusaders
Despite all the talk of All Blacks rest weeks and managing the minutes of his frontline representatives, Scott Robertson has refrained from pulling his guns from the team to play the Hurricanes at Christchurch Stadium tomorrow night.
Judging by the team he’s named for their home-opener, the Crusaders head coach and his staff clearly don’t believe a New Zealand derby, which doubles as a rematch of last year’s semifinal at the same ground, is the time to address New Zealand Rugby’s demands regarding All Blacks.
While captain Sam Whitelock, No 8 Kieran Read, and hooker Codie Taylor remain on extended leave, Robertson has added more firepower to the side which eked out a 24-22 win against the Blues in Auckland last week.
All Black Jack Goodhue, having overcome his groin strain, has replaced Braydon Ennor at centre and will start next to second five-eighth Ryan Crotty in the only change to the starting side. Ennor, who last season showed he’s an attacking threat on the wing, replaces 20-year-old Will Jordan on the bench.
The only other change to the 23 is an injury-enforced one at loosehead prop, with Harry Allan replacing the injured Tim Perry on the bench.
Perry busted his left-arm seven minutes after coming off the bench against the Blues and underwent surgery yesterday. A timeframe for his return will be clearer in a few days, assistant coach Brad Mooar said.
Despite Ennor repeatedly carving the Blues open in Goodhue’s absence last week, the Crusaders weren’t tempted to keep the centre many believe will don the black No 13 jersey at the World Cup this year on the sideline.
‘‘It can be a bit tough on Braydon, but he’s a young man and he’s set his stool out there with a fantastic performance,’’ Mooar said.
‘‘They will work together throughout the year. Nobody is going to play every game and they will bring the best out of each other. It’s a great position to be in.’’ There is no head-to-head
between All Blacks pivots Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett, who missed the Hurricanes’ round one win against the Waratahs, and won’t play against the Crusaders as the Hurricanes juggle the All Blacks’ return to play protocols.
Hurricanes loose forward Ardie Savea is also sitting out the
game, while midfielder Ngani Laumape and halfback TJ Perenara will come off the bench. Hooker Dane Coles will start his first Super Rugby game since 2017. The Crusaders were not surprised to see Christchurch Boys’ High School product Fletcher Smith, rather than Barrett, named to start at first five-eighth.