Crusaders preparing for in-squad game as they look to defend their Super Rugby Aotearoa title

Building towards a defence of their Super Rugby Aotearoa title, the Crusaders will take a homegrown first step with an in-squad game on Friday.

Players such as Sevu Reece, George Bower and Manasa Mataele are likely to feature in this trial match.

Assistant coach Andrew Goodman said the side had been building towards their first hit-out over the past three weeks and it would be a chance for them to show the progressions they had been able to make in that time.

The return of the All Blacks this week had lifted the intensity of training which would be good for the preparation for Friday's game.

The Crusaders will meet the Highlanders at 6.05pm on the 26th of this month.

[Source: Super Rugby Aotearoa]