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Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of this Super Rugby Pacific round two clash between the Crusaders and NSW Waratahs from Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
Even as reigning champions, the Crusaders started 2024 on the back foot with defeat to the Chiefs.
Rob Penney's young side put in a valiant 80-minute effort, but fell at the final hurdle to be the only Kiwi side yet to taste victory to start the season.
That could all change tonight, though.
The Crusaders have brought All Blacks midfielder David Havili back into their side, to form a new combination with Levi Aumua, while Fletcher Newell takes the place of the injured Tamaiti Williams in the front row.
Also keep an eye on first-five Teha Kemara, the only specialist in the Crusaders matchday 23, as the champions look to settle on Richie Mo'unga's long-term replacement.
TAB odds: Crusaders $1.09, Waratahs $7, draw $26
Teams:
Crusaders: 1-George Bower, 2-George Bell, 3-Fletcher Newell, 4-Scott Barrett (c), 5-Quentin Strange, 6-Dominic Gardner, 7-Tom Christie, 8-Cullen Grace, 9-Noah Hotham, 10-Taha Kemara, 11-Macca Springer, 12-David Havili, 13-Levi Aumua, 14-Sevu Reece, 15-Chay Fihaki
Reserves: 16-Quentin MacDonald, 17-Joe Moody, 18-Owen Franks, 19-Jamie Hannah, 20-Christian Lio-Willie, 21-Mitchell Drummond, 22-Ryan Crotty, 23-Dallas McLeod
NSW Waratahs: 1-Angus Bell, 2-Mahe Vailanu, 3-Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4-Jed Holloway, 5-Hugh Sinclair, 6-Fergus Lee-Warner, 7-Charlie Gamble, 8-Langi Gleeson, 9-Jake Gordon (c), 10-Tane Edmed, 11-Dylan Pietsch, 12-Joey Walton, 13-Harry Wilson, 14-Mark Nawaqanitawase, 15-Max Jorgensen
Reserves: 16-Julian Heaven, 17-Hayden Thompson-Stringer, 18-Daniel Botha, 19-Miles Amatosero, 20-Ned Hanigan, 21-Teddy Wilson, 22-Mosese Tuipulotu, 23-Triston Reilly
