Will Jordan will start at fullback for the Crusaders. Photo: Getty ImagesThe Crusaders open their Super Rugby Aotearoa title defence without valuable utility back David Havili, though another casualty of the pre-season hit-out with the Chiefs is fit to face the Highlanders in Dunedin. Havili copped a head knock early in the Crusaders 40min run with the Chiefs in Cambridge last Saturday and he does not feature in Scott Robertson’s 23-man squad for Friday’s tournament-launching southern derby. Res: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Sione Havili, Mitchell Drummond, Fergus Burke, Chay Fihaki. Res: Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck, Jeff Thwaites, Bryn Evans, Liam Squire, Folau Fakatava, Josh Ioane, Hugh Renton.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 24, 2021 03:00 UTC