Reece gets chance to show his versatility

Sevu Reece could get an opportunity to show he’s more than just an explosive, try-scoring wing tomorrow night.

The 23-year-old will start in his familiar Crusaders No 14 jersey against the Reds at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch, but will provide midfield cover while David Havili and Braydon Ennor take a week off.

‘‘He was beaming after he was told he was going to jump into 13 and cover that if required,’’ head coach Scott Robertson said.

Reece, who burst into the All Blacks last year on the back of scoring a competition-high 15 tries on the wing for the Crusaders, has not previously played in the midfield at Super Rugby level.

However, he started two games at centre for Waikato in 2017, and donned the No 13 jersey once for the Mooloos the previous year.

‘‘A couple of weeks before the bye he jumped in there [at training] for this moment,’’ Robertson said.

‘‘Obviously with [former Crusader] Seta [Tamanivalu], what skills he brought from wing to centre, Braydon can do it, a number of players can do it.

‘‘So it gives us the flexibility you need in any squad.’’

Ennor’s first of two All Blacks rest weeks results in Methven’s uncapped Dallas McLeod earning his first Crusaders start – at second fiveeighth – pushing Jack Goodhue back out to his more familiar centre position.

McLeod predominantly played wing for Canterbury during last year’s Mitre 10 Cup, but is a natural midfielder.

‘‘He’s a big kid. He could do a job at loose forward. Sometimes we get him mixed up with [loose forward] Cullen Grace on the field,’’ Robertson said.

Havili, arguably the best player in the competition through the first five rounds, has also been given a week off, so he can fully recover from groin and knee niggles, and because he’s amassed 295 minutes through four games.

With Will Jordan (groin) out for at least one more week, regular left wing George Bridge will take Havili’s place at fullback, while Fijian flyer Manasa Mataele will make his first appearance since blowing out his knee more than a year ago.