Crusaders recall big guns to quell any Rebel uprising

Richie Mo’unga is among a host of rested and rejuvenated Crusaders back for their crunch clash against the Rebels in Sydney tomorrow.

Mo’unga, Sam Whitelock, Sevu Reece and George Bower will all start after All Blacks rest protocols ruled them out last week. Fresh from being named ‘‘Champion Crusader of the year’’ at the team’s awards evening, loose forward Ethan Blackadder also returns after missing two games due to concussion.

‘‘They’re itchy. They’re really itchy, they’ve been great,’’ head coach Scott Robertson said. ‘‘Those weeks for them are tough to watch, but also give them a full tank. Their energy is high, and they’ve led the week really well.’’

The return of the aforementioned players has been partially offset by the unavailability of Codie Taylor (All Blacks rest), and loose forward Cullen Grace.

All Black Grace hasn’t recovered from the hip-pointer injury which forced him off at half-time of last week’s 29-21 win over the Force in Christchurch.

The return of Blackadder, who was knocked out late in the team’s demolition job of the Reds is Brisbane on May 22, is timely

Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Sione Havili Talitui, Ethan Blackadder, Samuel Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Michael Alaalatoa, Brodie McAlister, George Bower. Reserves: Nathan Vella, Tamaiti Williams, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Tom Sanders, Bryn Hall, Dallas McLeod, Manasa Mataele.

against a team which likes to get stuck in at the breakdown.

‘‘That’s voted by the players.

That’s the one the boys look at,’’ Robertson said when discussing Blackadder’s award.

‘‘His relentless work ethic, what he’s been through the last couple of years, and then to put himself into the All Blacks frame for selection through the performances that have been exceptional.

‘‘He just won’t stop. The whistle stops him, that’s it. It means a lot to the players, the way they talked about him and announced him. Codie [Taylor] did it because he’d won the award the year before. It just shows how much he means to us, and gave him a lot of praise.’’

The Crusaders won’t know what’s required against the Rebels to reach the trans-Tasman final until about 11.45pm (NZT) on Friday, after the Highlanders play the Brumbies in Canberra. Equal on competition points (18) with the second-placed Highlanders, but 11 points adrift on points differential, they’ll without a doubt be rooting for the hosts to notch a second straight win over a Kiwi side.

But, should the Highlanders win, and win big, the Crusaders won’t just have to win, they’ll have to nab a bonus point, and chase down the points differential to pip their southern neighbours in the standings.