Super Rugby
Ben Volavola gets first crack at Crusaders' No.10 jersey
ESPN Staff
February 3, 2016
© Shaun Botteril/Getty Images

Fiji fly-half and former NSW Waratahs utility Ben Volavola has been given first crack at the Crusaders' No.10 jersey in their Super Rugby trial with Queensland Reds on Saturday.

The 24-year-old playmaker is in contention with Richie Mo'unga and Marty McKenzie for the role vacated by All Blacks great Dan Carter, and the former schoolboy prodigy will get the first chance to impress coach Todd Blackadder after he was named to start at Ballymore.

McKenzie, an off-season signing from the Chiefs, will start the match from full-back.

Volavola enjoyed a solid maiden Rugby World Cup with Fiji, laying on a try for Crusaders team-mate Nemani Nadolo in the tournament opener against England; he then scored a fine solo try himself against the Wallabies in Cardiff.

Lock Jimmy Tupou will captain the Crusaders against the Reds with fellow second-rower Luke Romano the only All Blacks player to start. World Cup winners Sam Whitelock, Codie Taylor and Joe Moody will come off the bench, as will Nadolo.

Meanwhile, the Reds have handed a Queensland debut to NRL convert Eto Nabuli. The former St George Illawarra winger will line up alongside fellow code-hopper Karmichael Hunt and two-Test winger Chris Feauai-Sautia in an imposing back three.

Coach Richard Graham has named a strong pack including stand-in skipper Rob Simmons, former Wallabies flanker Liam Gill and off-season recruit Cadeyrn Neville.

Reds: Karmichael Hunt, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Samu Kerevi, Henry Taefu, Eto Nabuli, Jake McIntyre, Nick Frisby; Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Lolo Fakaosilea, Rob Simmons, Cadeyrn Neville, Sam Talakai, Andrew Ready, Ben Daley. Replacements: Saia Fainga'a, Sef Fa'agase, Taniela Tupou, Ben Matwijow, Lukhan Tui, Curtis Browning, Maclean Jones, Michael Gunn, James Tuttle, Mack Mason, Chris Kuridrani, Duncan Paia'aua, Campbell Magnay, Alex Gibbon, Sam Greene.

Crusaders: Marty McKenzie, Jone Macilai, Sean Wainui, David Havili, Sione Fifita, Ben Volavola, Leon Fukofuka; Jordan Taufua, Tim Boys, Jimmy Tupou (capt), Scott Barrett, Luke Romano, Mike Alaalatoa, Ged Robinson, Alex Hodgman. Replacements: Codie Taylor, Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Oliver Jager, Samuel Whitelock, Mitchell Dunshea, Reed Prinsep, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo'unga, Kieron Fonotia, Mitchell Hunt, Johnny McNicholl, Nemani Nadolo.

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