Saders team to play chiefs...

CRUSADERS.CO.NZ    19.FEB.2014GETTY IMAGES

The Crusaders will kick off their season against reigning champions, the Chiefs, at Christchurch’s AMI Stadium on Friday night. Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder has named a team that includes three Crusader debutants plus a fourth in the reserves.

Tim Perry, who played his first Super Rugby game last year for the Blues, will make his first start for the Crusaders in the number one jersey. Midfield back Rey Lee-Lo is another player who made his Super Rugby debut last year (for the Hurricanes) but will run out for the Crusaders for the first time on Friday.

New Zealand Sevens player, Nafi Tuitavake, was named in the Crusaders’ wider training group for this year but has impressed enough during the pre-season to make his Super Rugby debut on the wing on Friday night. He’ll be supported by fellow back and wider training group member Rob Thompson in the reserves.

Blackadder says these players have been rewarded for their efforts during the pre-season and he is confident they are up to the task.

“We made it clear to players from the outset that our pre-season games would be viewed as trial matches. We thought it was important to start with a clean slate, put all players on an even footing and ask them to prove themselves before the season started. These players did that,” Blackadder said.

Perry will be joined in the front row by seasoned Crusaders Corey Flynn and Owen Franks. All Black locks Sam Whitelock and Dominic Bird make up the locking combination, with fellow All Black Luke Romano as cover. Richie McCaw will captain the team and play at seven, with brothers George and Luke Whitelock making up the loose forward trio.

In the backs, Andy Ellis starts at halfback and Tyler Bleyendaal gets the nod at first five. Ryan Crotty will join Lee-Lo in the midfield and will also be vice-captain. Johnny McNicholl on the wing and Israel Dagg at fullback complete the backline.

Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Johnny McNicholl, Rey Lee-Lo, Ryan Crotty, Nafi Tuitavake, Tyler Bleyendaal, Andy Ellis, Luke Whitelock, Richie McCaw (c), George Whitelock, Dominic Bird, Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Tim Perry. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Matt Todd, Willi Heinz, Tom Taylor, Rob Thompson. 

Nadolo arrives to complete Crusaders

The Crusaders 2014 Super Rugby squad is now complete, with Fijian wing Nemani Nadolo completing his Japanese commitments to arrive in Christchurch, although he won’t play this weekend against the Chiefs.

He has already started training, but it is rare that the Crusaders rush new arrivals into action without the proper preparation, with the likes of Johnny McNicholl, Zac Guildford and Nafi Tuitavake in the wing selection frame.

Nadolo is considered a high profile signing, capped by Fiji and coming in at a massive 130kg despite being one of the fastest players in the Japanese Top League during his stint.

Crusaders assistant Aaron Mauger hinted the back might be some way off.

"The key thing with Nemani is not to have too much expectation early on,” he told Fairfax Media. 

“He's got a whole lot to get used to. He's transitioning out of Japanese club footy into a pretty high-pressure environment. We don't want to set him up to fail. He's probably three, four, five weeks down the track.”

 ...Reds even the TAB is confused about the result with all the pressure on the Crusties to kick the year off with a win at home. They're also reporting how heavy the bridesmaid tag is weighing on the Crusties, not winning a title since Robbie Deans left....

...Could be the end of Todd Blackadder if the Crusties don't perform this year.

...Much has been said around here about how much better Tom Taylor is than Aaron Cruden but Crusty coach Todd Blackadder is backing Tyler Bleyendaal instead,,, saying he's picking on form not reputation so controversial call there by Black Adder... 

...In the Crusties favour the Chiefs have 13 players out injured including two of the worlds best loosies in Tanerau Latimer and Sam Cane so this could be the Crusties best chance to roll back to back Super XV Champions the Mighty Chiefs...

...Lots of All Blacks in the Crusty side too so if some of these newbie Crusty backs fire and old hands like Israel Dagg and King Richie lead the way they could make things difficult for the Mighty Chiefs...