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1 Mar 2026 0:33
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  •   Home > News > Sports > Rugby

    Crusaders still without captain Scott Barrett but welcome back Ethan Blackadder and Levi Aumua from injury

    The Crusaders are still without captain Scott Barrett but welcome back Ethan Blackadder and Levi Aumua from injury into the run-on side to face the Blues with prop Tamaiti Williams and midfielder Dallas McLeod on the bench


    Rieko Ioane, Hoskins Sotutu, Mark Tele'a and Patrick Tuipulotu return from a mix of injury and rest to start for the Blues with Stephen Perofeta starting at fullback in his first game back from a shoulder issue.



    Jordie Barrett captains the Hurricanes in Friday's blockbuster match against the unchanged Chiefs in Hamilton, with usual skipper Brad Shields sidelined along with DuPlessis Kirifi.

    SUPER RUGBY COVERAGE WITH HABIT HEALTH. TACKLING ALL YOUR ACHES AND PAINS FROM SPORT AND WORK.

    © 2026 Newstalk ZB, NZCity

     Other Rugby News
     28 Feb: The Chiefs are refusing to underestimate a wounded Crusaders side ahead of tonight's Super Rugby grand final rematch in Hamilton
     28 Feb: The Blues are pointing to territory and preventing set piece penalties as keys to victory against the Brumbies tonight in Canberra
     28 Feb: Crusaders utility back Leicester Fainga'anuku's comfortable being deployed in a third different role in as many weeks on his Super Rugby Pacific return
     28 Feb: All Black Jordie Barrett is backing the talent of Hurricanes teammate Callum Harkin to step up at first five ahead of this afternoon's Super Rugby contest with the Fijian Drua in Lautoka
     28 Feb: Moana Pasifika's defensive frailties have continued to hurt them in Super Rugby for a second week in a row
     28 Feb: It's been a hot start from the Aussies to open round three of Super Rugby
     28 Feb: Frustration for the Highlanders following a 31-14 Super Rugby loss to the Reds in Brisbane
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Chiefs are refusing to underestimate a wounded Crusaders side ahead of tonight's Super Rugby grand final rematch in Hamilton More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    It's been revealed UK supermarket giant Tesco, declined the Finance Minister's invitation for a meeting to discuss the issues in our grocery sector More...



     Today's News

    International:
    Israel and US attack Iran live updates: Blasts heard in Tehran and explosions reported in cities across region 22:56

    Rugby:
    The Chiefs are refusing to underestimate a wounded Crusaders side ahead of tonight's Super Rugby grand final rematch in Hamilton 21:57

    Auckland:
    Four people have been injured - one seriously - when a van rolled in the Auckland suburb of Wiri 21:17

    Law and Order:
    The Armed Offenders Squad has been working in Auckland's Papakura today, after a man was shot this morning 18:57

    Rugby:
    The Blues are pointing to territory and preventing set piece penalties as keys to victory against the Brumbies tonight in Canberra 18:37

    International:
    Crown prince Reza Pahlavi on US military intervention in Iran and how a post Islamic Republic 'transition' would work 18:17

    Politics:
    Bill Clinton tells congressional committee he had 'no idea' about Jeffrey Epstein's crimes 18:07

    Soccer:
    Auckland FC attacking weapon Jesse Randall is stoked with how the club is tracking heading towards the final stretch of the A-League's regular season 18:07

    Boxing:
    Kiwi Carlos Ulberg will fight for the vacant UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 327 in Miami on April 12 17:27

    Rugby:
    Crusaders utility back Leicester Fainga'anuku's comfortable being deployed in a third different role in as many weeks on his Super Rugby Pacific return 16:57


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