Sevu Reece reaches 100 Crusaders appearances as side targets home playoff against Blues

Sevu Reece will bring up his 100th Crusaders appearance when the Christchurch side host the Hurricanes at One New Zealand Stadium in the final round of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season, with a place above the Blues in third — and the home playoff that comes with it — at stake.

The winger, who arrived in Christchurch as injury cover before earning a single game and eventually building one of the most decorated careers in the franchise’s history, reflected on the journey this week. “Honestly, I just can’t find the words for it,” Reece said. “This whole week I’ve been looking back to that Fijian kid who first came down to Christchurch just to train as injury cover. Getting the chance to play one game was a blessing in itself, and now getting to do it 100 times is just amazing.”

The Crusaders are without captain Scott Barrett, who has not recovered in time, and star fullback Will Jordan has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Despite those absences, head coach Rob Penney has named as strong a starting line-up as available, with David Havili captaining the side from inside centre.

The occasion carries extra significance beyond Reece’s milestone. Tasman centre Cooper Roberts has been named at No.23 for a potential debut, having missed most of the season through injury. The former New Zealand Under-20 representative was part of the side that finished runners-up at the 2025 World U20 Championship. “It’s been a long time coming,” Roberts said. “I was injured for most of the season, so to get this opportunity in the last round, under the roof, I’m pretty stoked and pretty grateful. I’ve never played in front of that many people before, so it’s going to be pretty cool.”

The Crusaders will also field a new openside flanker after Leicester Fainga’anuku was omitted from the matchday 23 entirely.

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, have made sweeping changes to their squad but have recalled All Blacks props Tyrel Lomax and halfback Cam Roigard from injury to start.

Crusaders team to face the Hurricanes: George Bower, Codie Taylor (vc), Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl. Reserves: Manumaua Letiu, Finlay Brewis, Seb Calder, Liam Jack, Johnny Lee, Kyle Preston, Taha Kemara, Cooper Roberts.