At a glance

David Havili, Manasa Mataele, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Mitchell Hunt, Mitchell Drummond, Jordan Taufua, Billy Harmon, Heiden Bedwell-curtis, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Tim Perry. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett, Oliver Jager, Quinten Strange, Tom Sanders, Bryn Hall, Brett Cameron, Braydon Ennor

Warrick Gelant, Travis Ismaiel, Jesse Kriel, Burger Odendaal (captain), Divan Rossouw, Handre Pollard, Embrose Papier, Tim Agaba, Hanro Liebenberg, Roelof Smit, Lood de Jager, Jason Jenkins, Trevor Nyakane, Jaco Visagie, Pierre Schoeman. Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Lizo Gqoboka, Frans van Wyk, Hendre Stassen, Marco van Staden, Ivan van Zyl, Manie Libbok, Johnny Kotze

7.35pm

‘‘If you are chucking that sort of money around it is hard for someone to say ‘no’ if someone wants you to go overseas,’’ Taufua admitted. ‘‘When I made my decision I was really content. There were quite a few clubs out there. I definitely gave it serious consideration but I am happy with my decision.’’

Taufua, despite being able to operate at blindside flanker and No 8, has never been named in an All Blacks squad since he made his Super Rugby debut in 2013.

Sydney-born tighthead prop Mike Alaalatoa has also signed with the Crusaders through to 2020. After making his Super Rugby debut for the Waratahs in 2014, he shifted to New Zealand to play for Manawatu and later joined the Crusaders in 2016.

Taufua and Alaalatoa have been named to start against the Bulls in Christchurch tonight. As re-signings go, these were nobrainers for the coachless New Zealand Breakers.

The Kiwi Australian NBL club, officially without a head coach after parting ways with Paul Henare, on Thursday announced it had made the first two roster signings for the 2018-19 season, bringing back Tall Blacks internationals Tom Abercrombie and Shea Ili on multiyear deals.

Both were straightforward decisions for the new Us-based owners now running the club. They join the already contracted Alex Pledger as the first three pieces in place for next season.

Point guard Ili is fresh off a breakthrough campaign in which he followed some standout exploits for the Tall Blacks at the Asia Cup (where he made the All-star five) by averaging 9.2 points and 3.1 assists in the ANBL and being named the league’s most improved player.

The 25-year-old is a strong defender with a burgeoning offensive repertoire and is considered one of the best young talents in the Kiwi game. His decision to sign for another two years is a major boost for the club, especially with concerns he might have followed his mentor Henare elsewhere.

Small forward Abercrombie had major shooting struggles during the late part of the 2017-18 season.

He averaged 9.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks for the campaign, but over the last five games managed just 4.5 points at 22 percent from the floor and just 12 from beyond the arc. He was held scoreless in the second semi loss against Melbourne.

Buthe remains an elite two-way player capable of influencing a game at both ends of the floor

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