Four Fijians have been named in the Crusaders squad for the 2024 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season.
All Blacks prop George Bower, winger Sevu Reece, former Fiji Water Flying Fijians winger Manasa Mataele and former New Zealand U20 outside back Jone Rova have all forced their way into the defending champions’ side for next year.
While speaking about the squad, Head Coach Rob Penny says it is a very exciting and well-balanced squad and has several experienced Crusaders players with an exciting sprinkling of talented youth.
Penny says a big part of their mentality is about ‘next man up’, and that really is the case for this coming season.
He says there is a huge opportunity for guys to make their mark on this team and this competition.
He adds they embrace challenge and cherish pressure and these things make them stronger.
While speaking about Mataele’s return, Penny says Mataele is such a talent and the club is thrilled to have him back in camp.
He says Mataele has a close connection with a lot of the players in the squad and there is no doubt he will get plenty of chances to make an impact.
The squad:
Props: Finlay Brewis, Fletcher Newell, George Bower, Joe Moody, Tamaiti Williams.
Hookers: Brodie Mcalister, Codie Taylor, George Bell, Ioane Moananu.
Locks: Jamie Hannah, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett, Tahlor Cahill, Zach Gallagher.
Loose Forwards: Christian Lio-Willie, Corey Kellow, Cullen Grace, Dominic Gardiner, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie.
Halfbacks: Mitchell Drummond, Noah Hotham, Willie Heinz.
Insides: Fergus Burke, Rivez Reihana, Taha Kemara.
Midfield: Dallas Mcleod, David Havili, Jone Rova, Levi Aumua, Ryan Crotty.
Outsides: Chay Fihaki, Heremaia Murray, Leigh Halfpenny, Will Jordan, Macca Springer, Manasa Mataele, Sevu Reece.
