The big question is whether the loss of such experienced heads will lead to their worst season in quite some time and it's likely we will get an answer to that question when they face the Chiefs, with plenty of derby matches against high-class sides on the schedule this year.
On paper they look significantly weaker – losing Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Tom Taylor and Colin Slade will do that – and their absence of several senior players due to injury such as Israel Dagg, Ryan Crotty and Matt Todd is just another setback for the seven-time champions.
It therefore hands the Chiefs a huge opportunity to get their season off to the perfect start on the road, but they themselves are missing Hika Elliot, Nepo Laulala, Dominic Bird, Augustine Pulu and of course Sonny Bill Williams. They do still possess real attacking weapons in James Lowe, Damian McKenzie, Charlie Ngatai and Aaron Cruden and with decent ball one can't help but think the Chiefs will create chances.
Team news: Todd Blackadder has named a XV that includes three Crusader debutants – Tim Boys at loose forward, Richie Mo’unga at fly-half and Sean Wainui in midfield. An experienced front-row of Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Owen Franks will take the field, with Sam Whitelock captaining the team alongside Scott Barrett at lock. David Havili starts at full-back, with Nemani Nadolo and Jone Macilai on the wings.
Form: A horrendous end to pre-season saw the Hurricanes demolish the Crusaders 74-7 so it would have been a tough week leading up to this clash in Christchurch. Has confidence been rocked or will they rally and put in a performance? Those are the two ways it could go for the Crusaders as they call in some of their All Blacks. The Chiefs also enter on the back of a defeat as they went down 24-12 to the Blues in Pukekohe. They have definitely looked a threat though in patches, especially through that combination of Aaron Cruden and Charlie Ngatai.
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