19 year old Letiu thrust into injury-hit Crusaders for season-opener against Hurricanes

19 year old Manumaua Letiu didn’t think much of it when All Blacks rake George Bell limped out of the Crusaders’ final pre-season game last week.

Stuff.co.nz reports Letiu simply assumed the Crusaders were playing it safe ahead of tomorrow night’s season opener against the Hurricanes, particularly with fellow All Black Codie Taylor already sidelined with a hamstring injury.

It came as a surprise for the 19 year old when forwards coach Dan Perrin sat him down after a gym session on Sunday morning and asked the teenager if he was keen to make his Super Rugby debut.

The former Christchurch Boys’ High School head boy and first XV captain was still wearing a big smile on his face when he spoke to media at the team’s Rugby Park headquarters after training on yesterday.

A “chubby kid” not all that long ago, one who morphed into an excellent hooker for the New Zealand under-20s last year, he also spoke with confidence beyond his years.

One of two players - prop Sam Matenga is the other - from outside the official 36-man squad named in the Crusaders’ first team of the year, Letiu will cover starting hooker Ioane Moananu tomorrow night.

Crusaders team to play Hurricanes: Will Jordan, Chay Fihaki, Levi Aumua, David Havili (capt), Sevu Reece, Taha Kemara, Noah Hotham, Christian Lio-Willie, Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, Antonio Shalfoon, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Ioane Moananu, Tamaiti Williams. Reserves: Manumaua Letiu, George Bower, Sam Matenga, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O'Connor, Dallas McLeod

Unavailable: Codie Taylor (hamstring), George Bell (foot/toe), Finlay Brewis (shoulder), Braydon Ennor (hand), Jamie Hannah (shoulder), Kershawl Sykes-Martin (knee), Fletcher Anderson (heel), Rivez Reihana (ankle), Seb Calder (shoulder), Quinten Strange (pec/hamstring), Dom Gardiner (hamstring), Ali Tuivailala (finger), Johnny McNicholl (hamstring).

source : stuff.co.nz