Rugby / Bristol Bears
Bears braced for historic match with New Zealand’s Crusaders
The Haka will be performed on the Ashton Gate turf on Friday night as Bristol Bears compete in a historic exhibition match against one of the world’s leading club sides, New Zealand’s Crusaders.
The reigning Super Rugby Pacific champions, who are the most successful side in the competition’s history and captured their twelfth championship last summer, boast a squad containing some of the sport’s biggest global stars.
Their tour began last Saturday when they lost by just two points to Munster, with the New Zealanders using Clifton College as a training base during their stay in Bristol.
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“We’re very excited to get over there (to Bristol), the team is buzzing,” said Crusaders head coach, Rob Penney.
He added: “It’s a great opportunity for us to connect before the 2024 season properly starts, and to test ourselves against some mighty opponents.”
Meanwhile, for Bristol, the game comes off the back of a remarkable record-breaking 57-44 West Country derby victory against Bath and at the beginning of an eight-week break from action to avoid clashing with the Six Nations.
Pat Lam, Bristol Bears’ director of rugby, has named his strongest available side ahead of the much-anticipated clash, with some young academy prospects also being included in the 26-man squad.
Ahead of the game, Lam said: “To be able to welcome one of the best club sides on the planet to Ashton Gate is incredibly special and this fixture is a unique opportunity for our players, staff and supporters.
“The Crusaders are the reigning Super Rugby champions and we’re relishing the opportunity to take on the best club side in the Southern Hemisphere at what is sure to be a packed-out Ashton Gate.
“In a chat with my old Crusaders teammate Scott Robertson last week, we both agreed this is going to be something to really look forward to and we’re proud to be hosting them in Bristol.”
On the international stage, Bristol’s Ellis Genge is back on the bench for when England take on Wales at Twickenham on Saturday, with Bears academy graduate and former Clifton College pupil Ioan Lloyd due to make his first ever international start.
Main photo: Crusaders
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