Following their narrow victory over the Highlanders last week, the Crusaders are preparing to travel to Wellington on Friday, ahead of their Round 8 clash with the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium.
Head Coach Scott Robertson has made just two changes to his run-on side for the Saturday afternoon fixture, which sees Pablo Matera and Braydon Ennor both return this week, and Tom Christie and Leicester Fainga'anuku shift to the reserves.
Matera's inclusion at six means Ethan Blackadder will move to the openside, and Cullen Grace retains his spot at the back of the scrum. Meanwhile, Ennor's return to the midfield is the only change to an otherwise consistent backline to face the Hurricanes.
In the reserves, 23-year-old Otago hooker Ricky Jackson is on debut and will provide cover for Vice-Captain Codie Taylor, in the absence of Brodie McAlister (calf injury) and Shilo Klein (suspension). When Jackson takes the field, he'll become Crusader #264, although he already has a 2019 Super Rugby appearance for the Highlanders to his name.
Kick off in the Crusaders match against the Hurricanes is 4:35pm, Saturday 9th April at Sky Stadium in Wellington. The match will be televised live on Sky Sport.
Crusaders team to play the Hurricanes:
1. Joe Moody
2. Codie Taylor (VC)
3. Fletcher Newell
4. Scott Barrett (C)
5. Quinten Strange
6. Pablo Matera
7. Ethan Blackadder
8. Cullen Grace
9. Mitch Drummond
10. Richie Mo'unga
11. George Bridge
12. David Havili (VC)
13. Braydon Ennor
14. Sevu Reece
15. Will Jordan
RESERVES:
16. Ricky Jackson*
17. George Bower
18. Tamaiti Williams
19. Zach Gallagher
20. Tom Christie
21. Bryn Hall
22. Fergus Burke
23. Leicester Fainga'anuku
*denotes Crusaders debut