Super Rugby 2019: Jordan Taufua to play 100th game in semi-final against Hurricanes

  • 27/06/2019

Forward Jordan Taufua will raise his century of Crusaders appearances, when his side square off with the Hurricanes in their Super Rugby semi-final in Christchurch on Saturday.

The 27-year-old will come off the bench as part of unchanged squad from the one that overran the Highlanders 38-14 in last weekend's quarter-final.

Taufua will also become the first Polynesian player to reach the 100 mark for New Zealand's most successful Super Rugby franchise, which his coach Scott Robertson says is a great source of pride for the Samoan.

"Jordie is exceptional on and off the field for us," Robertson said. "Massive part of our culture.

"He's got natural rhythm, he's a great singer, he does a lot of work around our team song and chants and stuff, and just the energy he brings, the professionalism that's in him."

Super Rugby 2019: Jordan Taufua to play 100th game in semi-final against Hurricanes

Taufua will head to the UK at the end of this season to join the English Premiership's Leicester Tigers on a two-year deal. 

"To achieve such a milestone and be part of a legacy alongside a lot of other great players is something special," said Taufua. 

Robertson said he was pleased to have the luxury of sticking with the same squad from last weekend's emphatic performance.

"Consistency in finals is important and everyone played really well last week, so to keep the same 23 was an easy call.

"We know how good the Hurricanes can be on their day, and the strength of so many individual players can open the game up and create a lot. They've won a lot of tight games this year and that experience counts.

"It's going to be a hell of a match."

All Blacks prop Tim Perry will miss his second consecutive game with an arm injury.

Crusaders: 1-Joe Moody, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Owen Franks, 4-Scott Barrett, 5-Sam Whitelock, 6-Whetu Douglas, 7-Matt Todd, 8-Kieran Read, 9-Bryn Hall, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-George Bridge, 12-Ryan Crotty, 13-Jack Goodhue, 14-Sevu Reece, 15-David Havili

Reserves: 16-Andrew Makalio, 17-George Bower, 18-Michael Alaalatoa, 19-Luke Romano, 20-Jordan Taufua, 21-Mitchell Drummond, 22-Mitch Hunt, 23-Braydon Ennor

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Super Rugby 2019: Jordan Taufua to play 100th game in semi-final against Hurricanes