Hooker Codie Taylor is set to make his 150th appearance for the Crusaders when they play at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch for the last time tomorrow night.
Fullback Will Jordan will have the honour of captaining the Crusaders because midfielder David Havili is still unavailable due to a troublesome heel, but don’t be surprised if Taylor gets the honour of leading the team into the stadium.
This match will mark the end of a long association between the Crusaders and the modest venue in the suburb of Addington.
When construction on the “temporary” venue began following the 2011 earthquakes, it opened the following year, it was hailed as a marvellous example of how quickly a project could be completed when everyone committed to fast-tracking an idea into reality.
The feel-good vibes were replaced by frustration.
As each year passed, and the bureaucrats dithered, it became apparent the Crusaders were there for the long haul.
Now, finally, that chapter is about to close.
The One NZ Stadium in central Christchurch is now complete. The Crusaders will play their first game at the new location when they meet the Waratahs in the opening game of the “Super Round” on April 24th.
Loose forward Ethan Blackadder is the latest high-profile casualty for the Crusaders, having been sidelined for between four to six weeks with a calf injury.
He joins another All Black, prop Tamaiti Williams, on the sideline.
Williams’ season with the Crusaders is over. He has a serious infection in his spine called discitis.
Meanwhile, players with Fijian links, George Bower and Sevu Reece, have been named in the starting 15 for the defending Shop N Save Super Rugby champions.
The Crusaders will host the Drua at 6.05pm tomorrow.
In other matches, the Chiefs will face the Waratahs at 6.05pm Saturday and the Reds will take on the Force at 8.35pm.
Source: Stuff.co.nz
