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TITLE FAVOURITES AGAIN

Master coach Scott Robertson has assembled another strong squad of players. The Crusaders will start hot favourites and hope to continue their unparalleled success.

LAST YEAR:

SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC: FIRST

The Crusaders won a record 11th Super Rugby title in 2022 with a consistency that is unmatched in recent years. The Blues fancied their chances at Eden Park in the final but the Crusaders triumphed 21–7 in a clinical display, showing how to win the big games that count the most.

LUCK OF THE DRAW:

The Crusaders start at home with a visit from the Chiefs, who have a decent record in Christchurch. Three away matches follow, against the Highlanders in Melbourne, Fijian Drua in Lautoka and Blues in Auckland, before they welcome the Brumbies to Orangetheory Stadium and then take on the Reds in Brisbane.

CAMPAIGN PREVIEW:

Richie Mo’unga.

Every Crusaders squad seems to have a wealth of talent in every position and the 2023 version is no exception. There are 16 All Blacks sprinkled throughout the group plus an abundance of highly regarded young players waiting for an opportunity to make that next step up.

The talent scouts have worked their magic again by bringing in highly accomplished young first-five Taha Kemara from Waikato. The 19-year-old captained Hamilton Boys’ in 2021 and will slot in well beside Fergus Burke, who is another Waikato product, and Richie Mo’unga, who saves his best rugby for the Crusaders.

George Bell is touted to be a future All Blacks hooker. The 21-year-old impressed in last year’s NPC with Canterbury and adds quality and depth to the hooking stocks alongside the experienced All Black Codie Taylor and highly rated Brodie McAlister, who was one of eight Crusaders selected for the inaugural All Blacks XV late last year.

Explosive winger Pepesano Patafilo helped Wellington beat Canterbury in last year’s NPC final played at Orangetheory Stadium but now he is back in red-and-black. He adds to an already outstanding outside backs lineup, including All Blacks Will Jordan, Sevu Reece and Leicester Fainga’anuku. Another young gun to watch is Tasman Mako speedster Macca Springer. The 19-year-old outside back spent some of 2022 as a development player with the Crusaders and is part of the Crusaders Academy. At the other end of the experience scale is 36-year-old halfback Willi Heinz, who returns after several years away in England. He played 19 tests for England and fills the large void left by Bryn Hall, who is now in Japan.

Samoan international and former Blues player Melani Nanai returns to New Zealand after spending the last few seasons with the Worcester Warriors. The excellent try-scorer played 64 games for the Blues between 2015 and 2019.

Head coach Robertson says the 2023 squad represents a mix of old and new talent. He is feeling confident ahead of the new season.

“We have a good balanced squad this year, with some seasoned veterans and an incredibly hard-working new crew of Crusaders. I’m proud of the group we’ve put together this season and I know they’re all ready and excited to represent the Crusaders region on the big stage.”

Two players especially looking for a big campaign to bolster their World Cup chances are loose forwards Ethan Blackadder and Cullen Grace, who both missed large parts of last year with serious injuries.

Scott Barrett will again captain the team with Tasman Mako co-coach Dan Perrin taking over from Jason Ryan as the forwards coach for the Crusaders.

WHO’S NEW:

Forwards: Christian Lio-Willie (Highlanders), George Bell (Canterbury).

Backs: Taha Kemara (Waikato), Willi Heinz (Canterbury), Melani Nanai (Worcester), Pepesano Patafilo (Hurricanes), Noah Hotham (Canterbury), Macca Springer (Tasman).

WHO’S THROUGH:

Forwards: Abraham Pole (Moana Pasifika), Pablo Matera (Japan).

Backs: Bryn Hall (Japan), Simon Hickey (Japan), George Bridge (France), Kini Naholo (Hurricanes), Inga Finau (Chiefs).

Crusaders Squad

FORWARDS:

Codie Taylor, Brodie McAlister, George Bell, Joe Moody, Oli Jager, Fletcher Newell, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Finlay Brewis, Scott Barrett, Quentin Strange, Mitchell Dunshea, Sam Whitelock, Zach Gallagher, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Sione Havili Talitui, Cullen Grace, Dominic Gardiner, Corey Kellow, Christian Lio-Willie.

BACKS:

Mitch Drummond, Willi Heinz, Noah Hotham, Richie Mo’unga, Fergus Burke, Taha Kemara, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Macca Springer, Melani Nanai, Pepesana Patafilo.

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