Crusaders v Waratahs live updates, Super Rugby Pacific
Live updates of the Super Rugby Pacific clash between the Waratahs and the Crusaders.
Crusaders team to face Waratahs
Johnny McNicholl has been named to start at fullback for his first appearance of the season, replacing the injured Will Jordan who is sidelined with a knee injury.
There are three changes in the forwards, with All Blacks trio Codie Taylor, Scott Barrett and Fletcher Newell all rested for the clash in Sydney, replaced by Ioane Moananu, Kershawl Sykes-Martin and Quinten Strange respectively.
On the bench, All Blacks hooker George Bell returns after overcoming a foot injury which was expected to sideline him for the entire Super Rugby Pacific season.
Crusaders: 1. Tamaiti Williams 2. Ioane Moananu 3. Kershawl Sykes-Martin 4. Quinten Strange 5. Antonio Shalfoon 6. Cullen Grace 7. Tom Christie 8. Christian Lio-Willie 9. Noah Hotham 10. Rivez Reihana 11. Sevu Reece 12. David Havili (c) 13. Braydon Ennor 14. Chay Fihaki 15. Johnny McNicholl.
Bench: 16. George Bell 17. George Bower 18. Seb Calder 19. Jamie Hannah 20.Corey Kellow 21. Kyle Preston 22. James O'Connor 23. Dallas McLeod.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
2 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Chiefs v Blues: Live updates from the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs
Follow the action as the Chiefs host the Blues in Hamilton in the first round of the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs. Chiefs team to face the Blues The Chiefs will be out for revenge as they host a Blues outfit that thumped them 41-10 in the Super Rugby Pacific final in Auckland last year. Since then, the sides have met twice this season, with the Chiefs coming up trumps on both occasions – although it was only by a one-point margin when the Blues visited Hamilton in round five. Coach Clayton McMillan has made nine changes to his starting XV that bested the last-placed Highlanders 41-24 last week, opting for a more experienced lineup. A new-look front row has Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei'aho and George Dyer slotting into the starting side. Naitoa Ah Kuoi replaces Josh Lord and joins Tupou Vaa'i in the locking department. All Black Wallace Sititi has been shifted to the bench and replaced by Simon Parker in the No 8 jersey. Samipeni Finau and captain Luke Jacobson round out the loose forwards. In the backline, Cortez Ratima will start at halfback over Xavier Roe. Quinn Tupaea has been ruled out after suffering a head injury last week and is replaced by Gideon Wrampling. Emoni Narawa has returned from injury and will start on the wing alongside Leroy Carter. The Chiefs have already booked their spot in the competition's semifinals next week, regardless of the result, but a win on Saturday night would go a long way in securing home advantage throughout the playoffs. Chiefs: 1. Aidan Ross 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho 3. George Dyer 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi 5. Tupou Vaa'i 6. Samipeni Finau 7. Luke Jacobson (c) 8. Simon Parker 9. Cortez Ratima 10. Damian McKenzie 11. Leroy Carter 12. Gideon Wrampling 13. Daniel Rona 14. Emoni Narawa 15. Shaun Stevenson. Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister 17. Ollie Norris 18. Reuben O'Neill 19. Josh Lord 20. Wallace Sititi 21. Xavier Roe 22. Josh Jacomb 23. Etene Nanai-Seturo. Unavailable: Quinn Tupaea (head/eye), Anton Lienert-Brown (collarbone), Liam Coombes-Fabling (hamstring), Fiti Sa (shoulder), Manaaki Selby-Rickit (toe), Rameka Poihipi (knee, season), Kaleb Trask (ankle), Malachi Wrampling (hamstring), Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (shoulder), Sione Ahio (ankle). Blues team to face the Chiefs Coach Vern Cotter has made just one change to his Blues side, tasked with taking the trip down State Highway 1 to knock over a high-flying Chiefs outfit if they wish to defend the Super Rugby Pacific title. The side snuck into the top six of the ladder after a 46-6 win over the Waratahs at Eden Park at the weekend, but will have their work cut out for them. The sole change involves Adrian Choat replacing Anton Segner at blindside flanker, with Segner being shifted to the bench. The equation for the underdog Blues is quite simple – win and they earn another week. Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a 2. Ricky Riccitelli 3. Marcel Renata 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c) 5. Laghlan McWhannell 6. Adrian Choat 7. Dalton Papali'i 8. Hoskins Sotutu 9. Finlay Christie 10. Beauden Barrett 11. Caleb Clarke 12. A.J. Lam 13. Rieko Ioane 14. Mark Tele'a 15. Corey Evans. Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund 17. Jordan Lay 18. Angus Ta'avao 19. Josh Beehre 20. Anton Segner 21. Sam Nock 22. Harry Plummer 23. Cole Forbes. Unavailable: Cam Christie (thumb), Stephen Perofeta (leg), Reon Paul (shoulder), Cam Suafoa (medical, season), Ofa Tu'ungafasi (neck, season), Sam Darry (shoulder, season).
1News
5 hours ago
- 1News
Crusaders steamroll Reds in the rain to earn home semifinal
The Crusaders are hard to beat at home at the best of times but they go to a different level in the playoffs – their 32-12 victory over the Reds tonight in a rainy and cold Christchurch preserving their perfect record in Super Rugby's post-season. It means they have earned a home semifinal next weekend against either the Brumbies or Hurricanes, who will play in Canberra tonight. The Chiefs play the Blues in Hamilton earlier tonight in the other playoff match. The Crusaders' record in home playoffs now reads 30 from 30 and the foundations were once again laid by a dominant pack which nullified the visitors' set piece, earning five scrum penalties in total – three in the first half. Throw in the Crusaders' line speed on defence and a willingness to attack the Reds' breakdown, and it was truly one-way traffic in the first half, the red and blacks going ahead through close-range tries from lock Scott Barrett and prop Tamaiti Williams. Christian Lio-Willie of the Crusaders is tackled by Lachie Anderson of the Reds during the Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Final (Source: Photosport) ADVERTISEMENT Williams burrowed over despite receiving treatment from a knee injury and it was an issue that forced him from the field in the first half and will raise concerns not only for Crusaders head coach Rob Penney but also his All Blacks' counterpart Scott Robertson. The big loosehead was a dominant force before his departure and Robertson will be eager to name him in his first Test squad of the year on June 23. The fact that Williams could continue after treatment may be a good sign but Penney indicated more will be known about the extent of the problem during the week. The Reds were having their own issues in terms of the casualty ward, with first-five Tom Lynagh going off for a head injury assessment, which he failed, after clashing heads with Crusaders wing Sevu Reece in a tackle. It was clearly accidental but penalties, and even cards, have been given for less. As it was, the Reds were finding it tough enough and the Crusaders should have been ahead by more than their 12-0 advantage at the end of the half but for a mistake by replacement James O'Connor, a first-five who played 68 games for the Reds, who kicked the ball dead from a penalty when going for the corner with time almost up. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen of the Reds and Ryan Smith of the Reds drive the maul during the Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Final. (Source: Photosport) The Reds, who made only one memorable line break in the first half, were up against it from the re-start, with the Crusaders pinning them in their half, and halfback Noah Hotham was the first to make them pay with an excellent re-gather to dive over under pressure. First-five Rivez Reihana, back from passing his own HIA, pushed his side further ahead with a long range penalty before the Crusaders' first serious discipline issue of the match: a high tackle by the otherwise impressive flanker Ethan Blackadder from a defensive lineout. ADVERTISEMENT The visitors immediately capitalised with a try from the lineout drive for replacement hooker Josh Nasser and Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight, the two talented Wallabies loose forwards, then combined for an excellent try for McReight to give the scoreboard some respectability. There was still time for replacement halfback Kyle Preston to intercept a desperate Reds pass for a try in the corner for the home side. John Bryant of the Reds during the Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Final (Source: Photosport) This was always going to be a difficult evening for a Reds team who lost in Christchurch during the regular season and who appeared to be flummoxed by the conditions. They were too passive in the contact and played too narrowly – perfect for a Crusaders team attempting to make up for their woeful season last year. All the Crusaders' forwards - Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Blackadder, Tom Christie and Christian Lio-Willie played with a sense of purpose that suggests they will be very hard to beat again next Saturday. Will Jordan also looked extremely assured at fullback after his return from a knee injury. ADVERTISEMENT Crusaders 32 (Scott Barrett, Tamaiti Williams, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Kyle Preston tries; Rivez Reihana 2 cons, pen) Reds 12 (Josh Nasser, Fraser McReight tries, Filipo Dungunu con) Halftime: 12-0
NZ Herald
5 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Super Rugby Pacific: Christchurch set to host Super Round in 2026 at Te Kaha
Super Rugby Pacific chief executive Jack Mesley has confirmed plans are in motion to bring back Super Round for the 2026 season with Christchurch's new stadium, Te Kaha, in line to host the event over Anzac weekend. It would be the first time a New Zealand city has hosted
