Midfield duo off to excellent start

Life without Ryan Crotty might not be so bad for Crusaders fans after all.

Watching Jack Goodhue ignite an attack with an audacious chip kick from the shadows of his own goal posts in the opening exchanges of the red and blacks’ seasonopener was the true beginning of the Goodhue-Braydon Ennor midfield pairing.

Centre Ennor, who played mainly on the wing last year, latched on to the kick and the hosts were away. A moment later, second five-eighth Goodhue again dropped the ball on to his left-boot and pinned the Waratahs deep in their own half.

‘‘Really exciting. Two great athletes working well off each other, playing what’s in front, good speed, we’re excited by the combination,’’ assistant coach Scott Hansen said as the Crusaders prepared for Saturday’s crunch match against the Chiefs in Hamilton.

Including last year’s final, which Crotty missed through injury, it was the third time the pair have started together in the midfield.

Clearly, it’s early days. But shuffling All Blacks centre Goodhue inside and lining up the fastest Crusader over 100 metres at centre adds an extra element to an already explosive backline. ‘‘I think we complement each other quite well and, obviously, we get along well on and off the field,’’ Ennor said.

‘‘I wouldn’t say we’ve changed it up. Crotts [Crotty] did a lot for the team in his years that he was here, I think he prepared us well for what was to come.’’

Head coach Scott Robertson, who labelled the defensive shift of his new midfield combination as ‘‘unreal’’ last weekend, isn’t expected to tweak his midfield when he names his team tomorrow, but multiple changes to the 23 are likely. That includes bringing back prop Joe Moody and wing George Bridge after the All Blacks pair were given the first week off, while Sevu Reece could make his first start of the year.

Hansen confirmed Richie Mo’unga was on track to play. He didn’t kick at the weekend but played through groin and knee niggles.

Having watched Aaron Cruden spark the Chiefs to a come-from-behind win against the Blues last week, the Crusaders expect the 31-year-old playmaker to start on Saturday.

As for fullback Damian McKenzie, Chiefs assistant coach Neil Barnes indicated a groin injury might again sideline him.