Super Rugby Round 13 Cruaders host Blues
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Super Rugby Round 13 stars with a huge match-up of Kiwi heavyweights as the Crusaders host the Blues on Friday, returning to their new stadium.
The Blues may be second on the points table but have lacked consistency for a full 80 minutes. The Crusaders would love to dent their northern rivals home playoff hopes.
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George Bower will celebrate his 100th game for the Crusaders as Leicester Fainga’anuku make a third straight start in the No 7 jersey.
The Blues have listed haflback Finlay Christie and loose forward Anton Segner in the reserves while Dalton Papali'i starts on the side of the scrum
The Queensland Reds and Chiefs will battle it out next as they look to reinforce their finals positions with the later kickoff in Brisbane.
Leroy Carter is out for remainder of the regular season. However Luke Jacobson, Simon Parker and Wallace Sititi form a pretty strong loose forward starting lineup.
On Saturday, the Highlanders welcome back Caleb Tangitau as they face the NSW Waratahs in Dunedin in their final home game of the season.
Moana Pasifika then host the Hurricanes at North Harbour.
The Canes will be missing halfback Cam Roigard for three to four weeks with a calf injury while Ruben Love has a slight injury niggle but Kini Naholo returns.
The round finishes in the Australian capital with the ACT Brumbies out to rebound against the in-form Western Force.
The Fijian Drua enjoy the bye after their clutch win over the Highlanders in Ba.
*All times local
Crusaders v Blues
FRI 8 MAY: One NZ Stadium, Christchurch (19:05)
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Ethan Blackadder, Leciester Fainga'anuku, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Dallas McLeod, Sevu Reece, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: George Bell, Jack Sexton, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Dom Gardiner, Kyle Preston, Cooper Grant, Kurtis Macdonald
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Bradley Slater, Sam Matenga, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sam Darry, Malachi Wrampling, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Nock, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Pita Ahki, AJ Lam, Kade Banks, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Flyn Yates, Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Xavi Taele
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Graham Cooper
Queensland Reds v Chiefs
FRI 8 MAY: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (19:35)
REDS (1-15): George Blake, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Lachie Anderson, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Nick Bloomfield, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Louis Werchon, Carter Gordon, Treyvon Pritchard
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Tyrone Thompson, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Damian McKenzie, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Quinn Tupaea, Kyle Brown, Kyren Taumoefolau, Isaac Hutchinson
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Jared Proffit, Reuben O'Neill, Fiti Sa, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Lalakai Foketi
Referee: Marcus Playle
Assistant Referees: Fraser Hannon, Dan Moore
TMO: Glenn Newman
Highlanders v NSW Waratahs
SAT 9 MAY: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (16:35)
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Jack Taylor, Angus Ta'avao, Tomas Lavanini, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka Howden, Lucas Casey, Nikora Broughton, Adam Lennox, Cameron Millar, Jonah Lowe, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Jona Nareki, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Nic Shearer, Taine Robinson, Xavier Tito-Harris
WARATAHS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Ethan Dobbins, Dan Botha, Miles Amatosero, Angus Blyth, Angus Scott-Young, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon (c), Jack Debreczeni, Sid Harvey, Lawson Creighton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen
Replacements: Folau Fainga'a, Jack Barrett, Apolosi Ranawai, Clem Halaholo, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Harry Potter
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, George Myers
TMO: James Leckie
Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes
SAT 9 MAY: North Harbour Stadium, Auckland (19:05)
MOANA (1-15): Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Millennium Sanerivi, Atu Moli, Allan Craig, Veikoso Poloniati, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Augustine Pulu, William Havili, Tuna Tuitama, Faletoi Peni, Solomon Alaimalo, Israel Leota, Glen Vaihu
Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Abraham Pole, Lolani Falevia, Jimmy Tupou, Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing, Siaosi Nginingini, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Latu
HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, Vernon Bason, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Du'Plessis Kirifi (c), Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Lucas Cashmore, Fehi Fieanganofo, Jone Rova, Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Siale Lauaki, Hugo Plummer, Devan Flanders, Jordi Viljoen, Bailyn Sullivan, Kini Naholo
Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams, Mike Winter
TMO: Aaron Paterson
ACT Brumbies v Western Force
SAT 9 MAY: GIO Stadium, Canberra (19:35)