{"id":15898,"date":"2022-05-11T23:51:38","date_gmt":"2022-05-11T11:51:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/?p=15898"},"modified":"2022-05-11T23:51:38","modified_gmt":"2022-05-11T11:51:38","slug":"crusaders-look-to-rise-for-blockbuster-brumbies-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2022\/05\/11\/crusaders-look-to-rise-for-blockbuster-brumbies-clash\/","title":{"rendered":"CRUSADERS LOOK TO RISE FOR BLOCKBUSTER BRUMBIES CLASH"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Having offered a sneak preview of what the Crusaders might look like in the future during their 53\u201315 win over the Force in Perth, it is a more traditional line-up that will meet the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Illness forced the Crusaders to throw a large net out to secure a playing 23 in Perth with front-rowers Seb Calder and George Bell introduced to Super Rugby while lock Liam Hallam-Eames answered a call to get on a plane to Perth immediately.<\/p>\n<p>He arrived in time to be introduced to the Crusaders&#8217; coaches on Saturday morning, and with Calder and Bell, they went out and stamped their passports into a Crusaders&#8217; future with promising debuts.<\/p>\n<p>Assistant coach Scott Hansen said, &#8220;How exciting was that to have three young men get out and join the Crusaders&#8217; family?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>While prop Oli Jager, halfback Mitchell Drummond and locks Zach Gallagher and Dominic Gardiner are still under Covid observation in Perth, Sione Havili Talitui is back in Christchurch to have a scan on his injured hamstring.<\/p>\n<p>However, with captain Scott Barrett, hooker Codie Taylor and midfielder Jack Goodhue available, the pressures are not so great, which is timely given the Brumbies&#8217; challenge.<\/p>\n<p>Hansen said Barrett&#8217;s return was timely.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s our leader, it&#8217;s great to have him back. He&#8217;s been through his procedures regarding the technical proficiency around defence. Scooter is a massive leader for us on the field. He gives us go-forward as well as leadership,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/40NDZnU1oLw\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>That would be important against a Brumbies side sitting one place above the Crusaders on the points table in second.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They have got fantastic DNA, they are really confident in their game at the moment, strong, abrasive, playing on the front foot. They&#8217;ve been exciting to watch the last three weeks around their game and their balance. We&#8217;re looking forward to Friday evening,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>The coaching group were happy with the side&#8217;s turnaround win in Perth and the balance the team achieved in their game management and with and without the ball.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But leading into the Brumbies we know we have to be so much better,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>That involves efficiency with the ball, playing in the right areas and their set piece and building on the excitement of playing in Canberra for the first time in several years.<\/p>\n<p>Wing George Bridge said the game is a challenge for the side. The winner would go a long way towards ensuring a home semifinal next month.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve got plenty of respect for this side, they have played some good footy and beaten three New Zealand teams on the trot and they&#8217;ll be looking to get one-up over us,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>They wanted to build on the effort in Perth to get some momentum leading into the end of the season.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"15900\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2022\/05\/11\/crusaders-look-to-rise-for-blockbuster-brumbies-clash\/280612241_10160157231052147_5435315498308845773_n\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/280612241_10160157231052147_5435315498308845773_n.jpg?fit=512%2C640&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,640\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"280612241_10160157231052147_5435315498308845773_n\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/280612241_10160157231052147_5435315498308845773_n.jpg?fit=240%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/280612241_10160157231052147_5435315498308845773_n.jpg?fit=512%2C640&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-15900 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/280612241_10160157231052147_5435315498308845773_n.jpg?resize=512%2C640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/280612241_10160157231052147_5435315498308845773_n.jpg?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/280612241_10160157231052147_5435315498308845773_n.jpg?resize=240%2C300&amp;ssl=1 240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Having offered a sneak preview of what the Crusaders might look like in the future during their 53\u201315 win over the Force in Perth, it is a more traditional line-up that will meet the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday. Illness forced the Crusaders to throw a large net out to secure a playing 23 in&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15899,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"CRUSADERS LOOK TO RISE FOR BLOCKBUSTER BRUMBIES CLASH\r\nhttps:\/\/wp.me\/p4wlzH-48q\r\n\r\nHaving offered a sneak preview of what the Crusaders might look like in the future during their 53\u201315 win over the Force in Perth, it is a more traditional line-up that will meet the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday.","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15898","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rugbyheartland-news","category-super-rugby"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/016674DE-3F5E-493F-B9E51D84998DBC03.webp?fit=1200%2C500&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4wlzH-48q","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":22479,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2025\/04\/30\/favorites-for-the-2025-super-rugby-pacific-season\/","url_meta":{"origin":15898,"position":0},"title":"Favorites for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific Season","author":"Kevin Hare","date":"April 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, the 30th edition of this elite rugby union competition, kicked off on February 14, bringing intense matchups across Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. For fans looking to extend the excitement beyond the pitch, platforms like crypto casinos provide a secure way\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;other&quot;","block_context":{"text":"other","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/other\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/rugby24-2025-04-21-16-07-34-62.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/rugby24-2025-04-21-16-07-34-62.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/rugby24-2025-04-21-16-07-34-62.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/rugby24-2025-04-21-16-07-34-62.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/rugby24-2025-04-21-16-07-34-62.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19067,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2023\/06\/16\/super-rugby-2023-semi-finals\/","url_meta":{"origin":15898,"position":1},"title":"SUPER RUGBY 2023 SEMI FINALS","author":"admin_hland","date":"June 16, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"We are down to the penultimate week of the Super Rugby Pacific season with just four teams left standing. The first semifinal kicks off on Friday night when the Crusaders host the Blues in a blockbuster from Christchurch. The Crusaders are unbeaten in home playoff matches since 1998, amassing a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;RugbyHeartland News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/353632139_637127481774880_350683290280656513_n.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/353632139_637127481774880_350683290280656513_n.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/353632139_637127481774880_350683290280656513_n.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/353632139_637127481774880_350683290280656513_n.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22816,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2025\/08\/28\/2026-super-rugby-pacific-draw-unveiled-as-competition-celebrates-30-years-of-super-rugby\/","url_meta":{"origin":15898,"position":2},"title":"2026 Super Rugby Pacific draw unveiled as competition celebrates 30 years of Super Rugby","author":"Kevin Hare","date":"August 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"2026 Super Rugby Pacific draw unveiled as competition celebrates 30 years of Super Rugby The release of the Super Rugby Pacific draw for 2026 has revealed an action-packed schedule for a milestone season celebrating 30 years of Super Rugby. The draw features 77 round robin matches held across a 16-round\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;RugbyHeartland News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/540638477_1208129351341354_3129338176967154609_n.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/540638477_1208129351341354_3129338176967154609_n.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/540638477_1208129351341354_3129338176967154609_n.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/540638477_1208129351341354_3129338176967154609_n.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22475,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2025\/04\/30\/the-2025-super-rugby-pacific-season\/","url_meta":{"origin":15898,"position":3},"title":"The 2025 Super Rugby Pacific Season","author":"Kevin Hare","date":"April 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, known as SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific in Australia, Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific in Fiji, and DHL Super Rugby Pacific in New Zealand, marks the 30th season of this premier rugby union competition. For fans looking to add excitement off the field, platforms\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;other&quot;","block_context":{"text":"other","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/other\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15056,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2021\/11\/15\/super-rugby-pacific-2022-draw-unveiled\/","url_meta":{"origin":15898,"position":4},"title":"Super Rugby Pacific 2022 draw unveiled","author":"admin_hland","date":"November 15, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Moana Pasifika to kick off new era for the Pacific region at Mt Smart Stadium Super Round Melbourne with all matches to be played at AAMI Park in Round 2 Regular season to include home and away rivalry matches in addition to the round-robin Super Rugby Pacific will kick off\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;RugbyHeartland News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sqw.jpg?fit=935%2C938&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sqw.jpg?fit=935%2C938&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sqw.jpg?fit=935%2C938&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sqw.jpg?fit=935%2C938&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15295,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2021\/12\/23\/hurricanes-revised-super-rugby-pacific-2022-draw-announced\/","url_meta":{"origin":15898,"position":5},"title":"Hurricanes: Revised Super Rugby Pacific 2022 draw announced","author":"admin_hland","date":"December 23, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"New Zealand Rugby\u00a0and Rugby Australia\u00a0have\u00a0unveiled\u00a0a\u00a0revised\u00a0Super Rugby Pacific 2022\u00a0draw,\u00a0which\u00a0will see the six New Zealand-based teams and six Australian-based teams play their opening eight matches on different sides of the Tasman due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.\u00a0 The revised draw\u00a0maintains\u00a0the same key elements of the original draw with each team to play a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;RugbyHeartland News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/GettyImages-1311885757-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/GettyImages-1311885757-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, 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