Super Rugby Pacific: Richie Mo’unga hits 100 for Crusaders against Moana Pasifika

All Blacks fly-half Richie Mo’unga will take his place amongst an exclusive group of Crusaders when he runs out for his 100th match, against Moana Pasifika in Christchurch on Friday.

Mo’unga has been thriving as the Crusaders’ chief playmaker in recent years after making his debut for the franchise in a Round One Super Rugby derby against the Chiefs in 2016.

Excited about his achievement

The 28-year-old is excited about his achievement and is relishing the opportunity of playing his milestone match in front of his home crowd in Christchurch.

“Ever since I walked through these doors at Rugby Park and saw how celebrated centurions are, it was pretty clear I wanted to be one myself,” Mo’unga told the Crusaders‘ official website.

In other team news, Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has been boosted by the return of some players who have been sidelined recently due to injuries.

In the backline, Jack Goodhue returns to action at inside centre where he replaces Dallas McLeod, while in the forwards Quinten Strange comes back to start in the second-row in place of captain Scott Barrett, who is rested after playing in all six of the Crusaders’ previous Super Rugby Pacific matches this season.

In other changes to the team which beat the Reds in Brisbane last week, Leicester Fainga’anuku moves from the left wing to outside centre with Macca Springer coming in to wear the number 11 jersey, while Will Gualter makes his first start on the right wing.

Click Here: Collingwood Magpies Guernsey

Elsewhere, Mitch Drummond is back at scrum-half where he takes over from Noah Hotham while Corey Kellow replaces Tom Christie on the openside flank and Codie Taylor takes over the captaincy from Barrett.

Meanwhile, David Havili has been declared fit and been named on the replacements bench where he is joined by Melani Nanai, who is set to make his Crusaders debut.

Robertson is delighted that some of his players are fit again and ready for action.

“Yeah, it’s awesome to have those guys back,” he said.

Not taking Moana lightly

Although Moana Pasifika have lost all of their matches so far this season, Robertson is not underestimating his opponents.

“Moana are power athletes and when they get it right, they’re dangerous. Tamati Ellison has been really clear about what we need to achieve defensively, so we’ll be showing them the respect they deserve by preparing well,” he said.

Crusaders: 15 Fergus Burke, 14 Will Gualter, 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 Macca Springer, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Corey Kellow, 6 Sione Havili-Talitui, 5 Dom Gardiner, 4 Quinten Strange, 3 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Codie Taylor (c), 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Finlay Brewis, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Tom Christie, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 David Havili, 23 Melani Nanai

Date: Friday, April 7
Venue: Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:05 local (08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Jono Bredin (New Zealand), Fraser Hannon (New Zealand)
TMO: TBC