Rob Penney has named a largely settled Crusaders side for Friday’s Round 13 blockbuster against the Blues at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch, with the occasion made all the more special by the imminent landmark appearance of loosehead prop George Bower.
- George Bower set to win his 100th cap for the Crusaders on Friday night
- Braydon Ennor ruled out with a hamstring injury (four weeks); Taha Kemara rested (knee)
- Dallas McLeod comes in at midfield; Rivez Reihana starts at fly-half
- Jamie Hannah named in the second row, with Tahlor Cahill to the bench
- Sevu Reece returns to the right wing for the occasion
Bower is set to pull on the red and black jersey for the 100th time when the sides meet at 7:05pm on Friday, becoming the latest player to join an illustrious list of Crusaders centurions. For the long-serving prop, the milestone carries deep personal meaning — and there was never any doubt about which fixture he wanted it to arrive in. “What better way to play your 100th than against the Blues?” Bower said. “That rivalry runs deep. It’s in the blood of Cantabrians and Aucklanders, and you wouldn’t want it any other way.” Reflecting on the journey, Bower added: “I remember walking through the doors for the first time and seeing the values on the wall and the centurions. You admire those names, and then suddenly you realise it’s possible. When that whistle blows on Friday, that’s when it’ll really sink in.”
Head coach Penney was effusive in his praise for Bower ahead of the milestone. “Gio is such a genuine person — loving, caring and full of the values you want around your team,” Penney said. “When things get tough, he’s one of those guys who lifts the group and blows the dark clouds away. He’s special for us, and it’s great to celebrate his hundred.”
Beyond the personal storyline, Penney has made two changes to the matchday 23, both driven by injury. Braydon Ennor has been ruled out for four weeks with a hamstring injury, while Taha Kemara has been given a week’s rest to manage a slight knee niggle. In Ennor’s absence, Dallas McLeod slots into the midfield, while Rivez Reihana takes the number ten jersey with Cooper Grant providing fly-half cover from the bench. In the tight five, Jamie Hannah comes in to start at lock, pushing Tahlor Cahill to a bench role.
The back three offers a compelling subplot. Sevu Reece returns to the right wing, bringing electric footwork and pace to a backline already well-served by Macca Springer on the left and the experienced Johnny McNicholl at full-back. David Havili captains the side from inside centre alongside the ever-reliable McLeod, while the forward pack remains formidable even with several key absentees: Will Jordan, Cullen Grace, and Tamaiti Williams are all sidelined, while Finlay Brewis faces two to four weeks on the sideline with a calf complaint.
The broader significance of Friday’s match is not lost on the squad. When the Blues visited Christchurch earlier this season, they emerged victorious — a result Bower acknowledges candidly. “They were the better team on the day earlier in the season,” he said. “But we’ve grown a lot since then. We’ve got a good plan around what they’ll bring and how we want to win the game.” Penney echoed the importance of their home advantage, emphasising the role of the crowd. “We need the crowd. If the red and black supporters can come along and be loud, it makes this a really difficult place to play. That’s something our boys feed off.”
The match doubles as Members Match at One NZ Stadium — a celebration of the club’s most loyal supporters — and with a near-capacity crowd expected and one of rugby’s most storied rivalries on the bill, the atmosphere is set to be electric. For Bower, the occasion represents the ultimate stage for a career moment he will never forget. “For me, I just want to put my best foot forward for the boys and put my body on the line,” he said. “It’s an absolute honour to put that jersey on for the 100th time.”
The Blues arrive with their own motivations: they sit near the top of the table and will be keen to build towards the play-offs with a statement win in the south. Patrick Tuipulotu captains a side that includes Beauden Barrett on the bench and Caleb Clarke on the left wing after recovering from injury, with Stephen Perofeta directing play from fly-half and Hoskins Sotutu providing dynamism at number eight. The Blues carry a formidable record in this fixture and will be no pushover at any ground.
With the season in its final stretch and finals positions still to be determined, every point matters. Penney and the Crusaders know a win on Friday — in front of their own supporters, with Bower crossing the century mark — would send a powerful message to the rest of the competition.
Crusaders: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Antonio Shalfoon, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Rivez Reihana, 11. Macca Springer, 12. David Havili (c), 13. Dallas McLeod, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: 16. George Bell, 17. Jack Sexton, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Tahlor Cahill, 20. Dom Gardiner, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Cooper Grant, 23. Kurtis Macdonald
Match details: Crusaders v Blues, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch. Friday 8 May 2026, 19:05 NZT / 17:05 AEST.
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