Will Jordan is back for the Crusaders after an injury layoff.
Photo: Photosport
Don’t count out the Crusaders.
The defending champs know just how to time a finals run, and they are poised to once again destroy the dreams of their kiwi colleagues.
However, the Hurricanes have not only declared themselves title favourites on the field, but off it too.
The Canes were superb against the Blues, and are odds on to break their decade long title drought as they sit five points clear on top of the ladder.
They meet the stuttering Highlanders at home, whose season was essentially ended in Hamilton last weekend.
Things are set to heat up under the roof at Te Kaha as the Chiefs come to Christchurch, the iconic cowbells banned from the stadium. With some heavy hitters back for the hosts, expect a finals feel on Friday night.
Meanwhile, Moana will end their short but exciting chapter on the shore, their final game at Albany against the Reds expected to be a sombre occasion.
With just one win this season, Tana Umaga’s men are determined to go out swinging.
Plenty on the line for four Kiwi sides heading to the business end of the competition.
For Moana and the Highlanders, just pride.
Selection notes
The Crusaders will welcome back Will Jordan for his first game at the new stadium after being sidelined with a calf injury.
Lock Liam Jack is in line for a potential debut off the pine while Chay Fihaki returns from injury to start on the right wing.
In the capital, Pasilio Tosi and Josh Moorby will make their 50th Hurricanes appearances, while two players are set for their first for the Highlanders in Stanley Solomon, and Meihana Grindlay.
Damian McKenzie is missing for the Chiefs with Isaac Hutchinson recalled to fullback while Josh Lord returns at lock. Patrick Pellegrini is back at ten for Moana.
Injury ward
The Hurricanes will hope to get All Blacks Tyrel Lomax and Cam Roigard back next weekend, though they will sit out round 14 a long with try-scoring machine Fehi Fineanganofo.
The Highlanders are without Finn Hurley and Nikora Broughton who have played their final Super games of the season.
Moana remain without Jonathan Taumateine, Julian Savea, Lalomilo Lalomilo, and Ngani Laumape.
McKenzie is expected back for the Chiefs next weekend while Emoni Narawa, Leoroy Carter, and Etene Nanai-Seturo are hopefuls for the first round of playoffs.
Tahlor Cahill, Braydon Ennor and George Bell are all at least a fortnight away from full fitness for the Crusaders.
Key stats
The Hurricanes are on a 10-match winning streak against the Highlanders.
The Crusaders have won eight of their last nine in Christchurch.
Highlanders midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai leads the competition in tackle breaks with 79.
Moana Pasifika are on an 11-match losing streak.
Crusaders vs Chiefs
Kickoff 7:05pm Friday May 22
One New Zealand Stadium
Live blog updates on RNZ
Crusaders: 1. George Bower 2. Codie Taylor 3. Fletcher Newell 4. Antonio Shalfoon 5. Jamie Hannah 6. Ethan Blackadder 7. Leicester Fainga’anuku 8. Christian Lio-Willie 9. Noah Hotham 10. Rivez Reihana 11. Sevu Reece 12. David Havili 13. Dallas McLeod 14. Chay Fihaki 15. Will Jordan.
Bench: 16. Manumaua Letiu 17. Jack Sexton 18. Seb Calder 19. Liam Jack 20. Dom Gardiner 21. Kyle Preston 22. Taha Kemara 23. Johnny McNicholl.
“He’s one of the world’s best. Having someone like that come back into your group is a real blessing, and the timing couldn’t be better.” Crusaders coach Rob Penney.
Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho 3. Sione Ahio 4. Josh Lord 5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc) 6. Samipeni Finau 7. Luke Jacobson (c) 8. Wallace Sititi 9. Cortez Ratima 10. Josh Jacomb 11. Kyren Taumoefolau 12. Quinn Tupaea (vc) 13. Kyle Brown 14. Liam Coombes-Fabling 15. Isaac Hutchinson.
Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister 17. Jared Proffit 18. George Dyer 19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi 20. Simon Parker 21. Xavier Roe 22. Tepaea Cook-Savage 23. Daniel Rona.
“They are a tough nut to crack. They are uncompromising and always very physical and it will be a big occasion down there that we are looking forward to.” – Chiefs coach Jonno Gibbes.
Moana Pasifika vs Reds
Kick off 4.35 Saturday May 23
QBE Stadium, Albany
Live blog updates on RNZ
Moana Pasifika: 1. Malakai Hala-Ngatai 2. Millennium Sanerivi 3. Atu Moli 4. Allan Craig 5. Veikoso Poloniati 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c) 7. Semisi Paea 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa 9. Augustine Pulu 10. Patrick Pellegrini 11. Glen Vaihu 12. Tevita Latu 13. Solomon Alaimalo 14. Israel Leota 15. William Havili.
Bench: 16. Mamoru Harada 17. Abraham Pole 18. Paula Latu 19. Alefosio Aho 20. Dominic Ropeti 21. Siaosi Nginingini 22. Faletoi Peni 23. Tuna Tuitama.
“The one thing we can control is our performance and that’s the thing we are focussing on, it would be good to go out on a winning note.” – Moana coach Tana Umaga.
Hurricanes vs Highlanders
Kick off 7.05pm Saturday May 23
Hnry Stadium, Wellington
Live blog updates on RNZ
Hurricanes: 1. Siale Lauaki 2. Asafo Aumua 3. Pasilio Tosi 4. Isaia Walker-Leawere 5. Warner Dearns 6. Devan Flanders 7. Peter Lakai 8. Brayden Iose 9. Ereatara Enari 10. Ruben Love 11. Kini Naholo 12. Jordie Barrett 13. Bailyn Sullivan 14. Ngane Punivai 15. Josh Moorby
Bench: 16. Jacob Devery 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones 18. Tevita Mafileo 19. Tom Allen 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi 21. Jordi Viljoen 22. Lucas Cashmore 23. Jone Rova.
“We’re expecting the Highlanders to come swinging. We thought, for large parts, they did really well against the Chiefs last week, so we’ll need to put in a good performance and play well to get the win.” – Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw.
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot 2. Jack Taylor 3. Angus Ta’avao 4. Tomás Lavanini 5. Mitch Dunshea 6. Te Kamaka Howden 7. Lucas Casey 8. Hugh Renton (cc) 9. Nic Shearer 10. Cameron Millar 11. Jonah Lowe 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc) 13. Jona Nareki 14. Xavier Tito-Harris 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Bench: 16. Henry Bell 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown 18. Saula Ma’u 19. Oliver Haig 20. Sean Withy 21. Adam Lennox 22. Stanley Solomon (Debut) 23. Meihana Grindlay (Highlanders debut).
“The Hurricanes play with real speed and ambition, and we respect that. But we’re clear on who we are and what we want to bring. This team has worked hard, they’re connected, and they’re hungry to put in a performance our people can be proud of.” – Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph.
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