The Crusaders are targeting the weak defence in the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua backline in Saturday’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific clash at the HFC Bank Stadium, Suva.

In a shock move, Crusaders head coach Rob Penney has moved winger Sevu Reece to centre to cause damage to test the centre partnership of Inia Tabuavou and Iosefo Masi by exploiting loopholes in the Drua backline.

Reece is expected to create gaps for full-back Will Jordan along with wingers Chay Fihaki and Macca Springer. Last month Springer equaled the Super Rugby record by scoring five tries against Western Force.

“I’m so excited,” Reece said after the team announcement yesterday.

“Before I played on the wing, before I moved down to the Crusaders, I was playing centre, and it wasn’t until I moved down there that I played on the wing.”

“It’s always been a goal of mine to play centre at this level– to test myself against the best of the best and getting that opportunity this week in front of my family back in Fiji, what a place to play centre – I can’t even find the words, I’m just so excited – thank you Pens!”

Reece is only two tries away from being Super Rugby’s top try scorer.

Veteran All Blacks and Crusaders hooker Codie Taylor will captain the side in the absence of David Havili.

“We need the mindset that we have to go to work– the reality is it’s going to hurt, but the team that stays the most connected and nails the basics will win the game and that’s been our focus,” Taylor said.

FIRST START 

Meanwhile, rookie flanker Isoa Tuwai gets his first start.

With injuries to Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi and the suspension of Motikiai Murray has given the 23-year-old the opportunity to make his mark for the Drua side.

Drua head coach Glen Jackson named his strongest line-up with the return of winger Selestino Ravutaumada and also the first time to utilise the centre partnership of Tabuavou and Masi with Vuate Karawalevu at full-back.

Jackson has fielded the experienced loosehead prop Haereiti Hetet, hooker Tevita Ikanivere and tighthead prop Mesake Doge to start.

The locking partnership of Isoa Nasilasila and Mesake Vocevoce has been retained with Tuwai at No.7 while the recalled Joe Tamani is at blindside flanker. Elia Canakaivata is at the back of the scrum.

Jackson has retained the halves partnership of Frank Lomani and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula. Former Racing 92 centre Tabuavou is at No.12 with Masi at outside centre. On the wings are Ponipate Loganimasi and Ravutaumada with Karawalevu at full-back.

Jackson opted for six forwards and two backs on the bench.

The match kicks-off at 3.35pm.

LINE-UPS 

Drua: 1.Haereiti Hetet, 2. Tevita Ikanivere (c), 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Mesake Vocevoce, 5. Isoa Nasilasila, 6. Joseva Tamani, 7. Isoa Tuwai, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Ponipate Loganimasi, 12. Inia Tabuavou, 13. Iosefo Masi, 14. Selestino Ravutaumada, 15. Vuate Karawalevu.

Reserves: 16. Zuriel Togiatama, 17. Emosi Tuqiri, 18. Samuela Tawake, 19. Leone Rotuisolia, 20. Vilive Miramira, 21. Etonia Waqa, 22. Simione Kuruvoli, 23. Isikeli Rabitu.

Crusaders: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor (c), 3. Seb Calder, 4. Tahlor Cahill, 5. Antonio Shalfoon, 6. Corey Kellow, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Macca Springer, 12. Dallas McLeod, 13. Sevu Reece, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan.

Reserves: 16. Ioane Moananu, 17. Kershawl Skyes-Martin, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Quinten Strange, 20. Ethan Blackadder, 21. Mitch Drummond, 22. James O’Connor, 23. Levi Aumua.

MATCH OFFICIALS 

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe; Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw; TMO: Glenn Newman.

Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj