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All you need to know before round 16 of Super Rugby Pacific. Crusaders v Hurricanes One NZ Stadium, Christchurch. Friday, 7.05pm Sevu Reece will play his 100th game for an injury-hit Crusaders after All Blacks captain Scott Barrett, who had planned to return from a non-playing sabbatical soon, now faces up to five months on the sideline with back surgery scheduled for this weekend. Fullback Will Jordan was ruled out for the remainder of the season for the Canterbury-based side earlier this week after he reaggravated a calf injury during the Crusaders 36-32 victory over the Chiefs. Add to that Tamaiti Williams being out of action since the end of March and the defending champions are missing a host of top talent, but outgoing coach Rob Penney said this has allowed new players to step in to leadership roles. “Losing those men is without question disappointing, but it’s allowed a whole other group to step up and take a leadership role and put their own stamp on it, and that’s what you require,” Penney said. “If we go any further into the competition post this weekend, it’ll be on the back of those men really stepping up, and they’re certainly capable of it.” Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are flying high at the top of the table coming off a 45-28 win over the Highlanders and they have halfback Cam Roigard returning to the starting XV after missing the past three weeks with a calf injury. Tyrel Lomax also returns from two months out with an ankle injury, linking up with Xavier Numia and Raymond Tuputupu in the front row. Coach Clark Laidlaw said the wider squad has picked up a few injuries, which allowed him to pick a different team and hand Cooper Flanders, Josh Timu and Taniela Filimone their debuts. “It’s a real balancing act around some men who have been injured and need rugby, and some fellas to continue with their consistency,” he said. “We know what’s on the line for the Crusaders. We’ve had a taste of their stadium through Super Round, so to go back is nothing new for us as a team. “We can’t wait to get there and play on Friday night.” The Hurricanes won the reverse fixture 38-31 earlier this year and aim to beat the Crusaders more than once in a season for the first time since 2014. The Crusaders have won four of their past five games against New Zealand opposition, but have had mixed results against the Hurricanes in Christchurch, winning three and losing two in their previous five fixtures in the city. Crusaders: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Antonio Shalfoon, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Dom Gardiner, 7. Ethan Blackadder, 8. Christian Lio‑Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Rivez Reihana, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili (c), 13. Dallas McLeod, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Johnny McNicholl Bench: 16. Manumaua Letiu, 17. Finlay Brewis, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Liam Jack, 20. Johnny Lee, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Taha Kemara, 23. Cooper Roberts Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Raymond Tuputupu, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Hugo Plummer, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brad Shields (c), 7. Cooper Flanders, 8. Arese Poliko, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Callum Harkin, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Jone Rova, 13. Josh Timu, 14. Taniela Filimone, 15. Josh Moorby Bench: 16. Jacob Devery, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Tevita Mafileo, 19. Tom Allen, 20. Matolu Petaia, 21. Jordi Viljoen, 22. Lucas Cashmore, 23. Bailyn Sullivan Reds v Fijian Drua Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Friday, 9.35pm The Reds could finish as high as fourth depending on how this and other games this weekend finish and have strong form against the Drua. The Queensland side have won all three of their games against the Drua at Suncorp Stadium and have triumphed in their previous two meetings, limiting the Fijian-based side to less than eight points in both matches. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto returns to the forward pack after becoming a father for the third time this week, while Treyvon Pritchard switches from wing to fullback. Head coach Les Kiss said the Drua are dangerous opponents and the Reds need to m...
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