Crusaders v Reds: All you need to know

Squads/Teams

Crusaders: Leigh Halfpenny, Johnny McNicholl, Levi Aumua, Dallas McLeod, Sevu Reece, David Havili, Mitchell Drummond, Christian Lio-Willie, Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett (capt), Fletcher Newell, Brodie McAlister, George Bower. Reserves: George Bell, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Chay Fihaki.

Reds: Jock Campbell, Tim Ryan, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Mac Grealy, Lawson Creighton, Kalani Thomas, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright (capt), Angus Blyth, Ryan Smith, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Matt Faessler, Peni Ravai. Reserves: Josh Nasser, Sef Fa’agase, Zane Nonggorr, Connor Vest, John Bryant, Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Suliasi Vunivalu.

Form

That was more like it from the Crusaders, who rolled the Rebels in Christchurch last week to nab just their second win of the season.

But beating the Rebels on a cool and damp night is one thing.

Handling the Reds on what’s forecast to be a fine afternoon will be a much sterner test.

The sixth-placed Reds were excellent in many facets during their narrow defeat to the Blues last weekend, particularly on attack, but the way they faded defensively was alarming.

TAB odds

Crusaders $1.26 Reds $3.40

What to expect

Fine afternoon conditions will encourage both teams to have a crack, but the Crusaders, in particular, would be wise to not get carried away and instead look to their pack.

After all, it would be rude not to after they demolished the Rebels’ scrum a weekend ago, setting the platform for a fast finish.

With Reds flanker Fraser McReight back from suspension and playing alongside Harry Wilson and Liam Wright, expect a torrid clash this afternoon with Crusaders loosies Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace and Christian Lio-Willie.

What they said

Crusaders coach Rob Penney: “I’d say they’d be very excited about having Davey Havili in the mix [at No 10], being able to play 10, 12, 13 really effectively, and 15 if required.

“He’s such a versatile player. Doesn’t that make an international bench really exciting?” Reds coach Les Kiss: “We are going to one of the great places in the world to play rugby, and we will take on the challenge.”

Players to watch

David Havili (Crusaders): He’s been a regular at fullback and No 12 over the years. Now, with encouragement from All Blacks coach Scott Robertson, Havili looks set to run the cutter for the reigning champions the rest of the way. All eyes will be on the 29-year-old.

Tim Ryan (Reds): Nobody has got a better nickname than the “Junkyard Dog”. And, after he scored a sensational hat-trick in the space of 14 minutes against the Blues last week, it’s clear few have his speed and footwork.

The sizzling wing will love nothing more than an afternoon fixture in the Garden City.

History

Played 30: Crusaders 24 wins, Reds 6 wins.