Richie Mo’unga’s replacement revealed as All Blacks wing returns for Crusaders after 11-month absence

New Zealand’s Sevu Reece runs for scoring a try during the rugby test match between Japan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan on October 29, 2022. Credit: Tadashi Miyamoto/AFLO/Alamy Live News

Former Chiefs fly-half Rivez Reihana gets the first chance to stake a claim for Richie Mo’unga’s Crusaders jersey after being selected for Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific opener.

In a rematch of the 2023 final, Reihana makes his debut for the Christchurch outfit against his ex-side in Rob Penney’s first game in charge.

Penney takes over from Scott Robertson, who has become All Blacks boss, and has had to deal with a number of departures on the playing front.

New era at fly-half

That includes Mo’unga, with the Crusaders now searching for his long-term successor. Reihana gets an opportunity to fill that role as he gets the nod ahead of the very talented Taha Kemara.

He partners Mitchell Drummond at half-back and they will hope to bring the likes of Dallas McLeod and new signing Levi Aumua into the game.

They combine at centre while on the wing Sevu Reece makes his return after missing most of the 2023 season due to injury.

Reece was absent from the Rugby World Cup after rupturing his ACL, but he is back in the Crusaders XV after 11 months on the sidelines. The 27-year-old is partnered by Chay Fihaki and Macca Springer in the back three.

Up front, the team is captained by New Zealand lock Scott Barrett and he is probably the most experienced player in the pack.

He is alongside Quinten Strange in the second-row while behind them are loose trio Cullen Grace, Tom Christie and Dominic Gardner, who will all hope to push for Test call-ups this year.

In the front-row, breakout star of 2023 Tamaiti Williams is at tighthead and he is joined by George Bell and injury-returnee George Bower.

Ex-All Blacks Joe Moody, Owen Franks and Ryan Crotty provide the experience on the bench, with youngsters Jamie Hannah, Noah Hotham and Kemara also hoping to make their mark in Super Rugby in 2024.

“The Chiefs are touting it as a bit of a grudge match, a rematch of the final – we’re not going there with that mentality,” head coach Penney said.

“This is a new season, a new group, and it’s an opportunity for this team to test themselves and see where they’re at, and there’s no better way to do that than Hamilton on a Friday night Round 1.”

Crusaders side to face Chiefs

Crusaders: 15 Chay Fihaki, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Levi Aumua, 12 Dallas McLeod, 11 Macca Springer, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Cullen Grace, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Dominic Gardiner, 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Tamaiti Williams, 2 George Bell, 1 George Bower.

Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Owen Franks, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Christian Lio-Willie, 21 Noah Hotham, 22 Taha Kemara, 23 Ryan Crotty

Date: Friday, February 23

Venue: FMG Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Kick-off: 19:05 local (06:05 GMT)

Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)

Assistant Referees: Jordan Way (Australia), Reuben Keane (Australia)

TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)