Naholo to make debut for Crusaders while Richie Mo’unga to start off the bench

Kini Naholo is among the four debutants named for the Crusaders to face Moana Pasifika tomorrow in Dunedin.

Head coach Scott Robertson has confirmed a raft of changes, which will see Naholo, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Dominic Gardiner and Isaiah Punivai all don the Crusaders jersey for the first time, while Ethan Blackadder, Codie Taylor and Richie Mo’unga all return from injury.

Mo’unga will start off the bench.

In the forwards, Joe Moody, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock and Cullen Grace will all sit out this week’s match. George Bower steps into the starting side at loosehead prop, Mitch Dunshea and Quinten Strange are the starting locks and Blackadder’s inclusion at six sees Pablo Matera move to number eight.

Quinten Strange has been named as captain.

The Crusaders will face Moana Pasifika at 6.05pm tomorrow.

Crusaders: 15 Chay Fihaki, 14 George Bridge, 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12 Dallas McLeod, 11 Kini Naholo, 10 Simon Hickey, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Quinten Strange (c), 4 Mitch Dunshea, 3 Oli Jager, 2 Brodie McAlister, 1 George Bower Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Dominic Gardiner, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Isaiah Punivai