Japan full-back Ayumu Goromaru has been dropped by the Reds for Fridays clash with the Crusaders, the first time the World Cup hero has been omitted from the matchday squad in a humbling debut season in Super Rugby. The signing of Goromaru was considered a coup for the Reds after his performances at last years World Cup ignited unprecedented interest in rugby in his homeland.But the 30-year-old has struggled to cement his place, with Karmichael Hunt mostly preferred at full-back as the Reds lurch through a season of just two victories to date. Goromaru has not started a match since Matt OConnor and Nick Stiles succeeded Richard Graham as interim co-coaches after the second week of the season.The Reds beat the Cheetahs 30-17 last week with Goromaru an unused replacement. He has played a total of 176 minutes in six appearances.Hes disappointed, obviously, but he understands its a team-first mentality and weve got to pick the best 23 guys for this weekend, said OConnor.Its one game and it gives us a little bit better coverage on the bench. Naholo returns for Highlanders All Blacks wing makes return from broken leg in Saturdays trip to Chiefs OConnor refused to be drawn on whether he thought Goromarus high-profile recruitment had gone to plan.That depends what the plan was, he said. I wouldnt say it was a mistake. It was about making sure that we had a quality goalkicker in the squad, given the losses of Quade (Cooper) and James OConnor last year.You need guys to kick goals and thankfully Jake (McIntyre) has stepped up and done that for us. Sean Fitzpatrick picks out the biggest and hardest hits from round 10 of Super Rugby Goromarus omission sees Junior Laloifi moving to the bench while Chris Feauai-Sautia returns to the starting side after recovering from an ankle injury.Centre Samu Kerevi, who broke his hand last week and is out for up to four weeks, has been replaced by Campbell Magnay.Scrum-half Nick Frisby will earn his 50th Super Rugby cap. Check out the best tries from round 10 of Super Rugby Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 David Havili, 11 Jone Macilai, 10 Richie Mounga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 1 Wyatt Crockett, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Mike Alaalatoa, 4 Scott Barrett, 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Todd, 8 Kieran Read (c).Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell,17 Joe Moody,18 Owen Franks,19 Luke Romano,20 Tim Boys,21 Andy Ellis, 22 Ryan Crotty,23 Marty McKenzie.Reds: 15 Karmichael Hunt, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Campbell Magnay, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 Nick Frisby, 1 James Slipper (c), 2 Andrew Ready, 3 Greg Holmes, 4 Ben Matwijow, 5 Rob Simmons, 6 Hendrik Tui, 7 Liam Gill, 8 Curtis Browning.Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Sef Faagase, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Michael Gunn, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Sam Greene, 23 Junior Laloifi.Watch Crusaders v Reds live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Friday from 8.30am. Catch the match for £6.99 with a NOW TV day pass. 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That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. Xherdan Shaqiri Liverpool Jersey . The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynchs famous "beast quake" touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game. LOS ANGELES -- Not even Lou Williams latest party-crashing performance could ruin Eric Bledsoes birthday festivities with the Phoenix Suns.Bledsoe had 30 points and nine assists on his 27th birthday, Leandro Barbosa added 21 points and the Suns snapped their three-game losing streak with a 119-115 victory over the slumping Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.Devin Booker had 15 points before fouling out for the Suns, who hit a season-high 13 3-pointers and withstood a late rally by the short-handed Lakers. Phoenix blew nearly all of its 18-point lead in the second half, but hung on for just its seventh victory of the season after losing five of its previous six.My team needed it, Bledsoe said after hitting three 3-pointers and getting three steals. We had lost a couple of bad ones in a row, but this was one of the best wins weve had all season.Williams hit six 3-pointers and scored 35 points in his fourth consecutive big game, but the Lakers have lost five straight after a promising start to their season. Nobody else in purple and gold managed more than 14 points.Lakers rookie Brandon Ingram hit a 3-pointer with 17 seconds left to trim Phoenixs lead to 115-113, but Bledsoe and Brandon Knight each hit two free throws in the closing moments.Im just playing and trying to lead by example, playing as hard as I can, Williams said. Usually when you score a ton of points, youre going to get some wins out of it, and we havent had that. ... Losing is losing. For me, its trying to do everything I can to try to help us win games, and its still not enough.Los Angeles has faltered during a busy portion of its December schedule while playing without four injured regulars: DAngelo Russell, Nick Young, Tarik Black and Jose Calderon.The shots we missed the previous game, we had the same shots this game, Phoenix coach Earl Watson said.dddddddddddd The guys just made them. Its a positive reinforcement.Alex Len had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Suns.SWEET LOUWilliams has three 30-point performances while scoring 137 points over the Lakers last four games. Thats the biggest four-game scoring performance by a reserve since the NBA began keeping track of starts in 1970, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Williams is only coming off the bench to provide a boost to the Lakers thin lineup, but his impact has been remarkable. Hes dynamic, Watson said. Hes one of the best scorers in the league. Youre not ever going to stop him. You just want him to be not as efficient.ANGRY DEVINBooker dropped a career-high 39 points on the Lakers at Staples Center last month. He fouled out of the rematch on an offensive screen with 3:49 to play, receiving a technical foul as well on his way to the bench.TIP-INSSuns: Bledsoe had made 29 straight free throws before missing one with 5:29 to play. ... T.J. Warren hasnt played since Nov. 18 due to a minor head injury, but is expected to return to practice Saturday.Lakers: They played their 13th game in 22 days as part of a rugged stretch. They havent had back-to-back days off since mid-November, and wont have consecutive days off again until next weekend. ... Russell missed his 11th straight game with a sore left knee, but has returned to non-contact practice. Russell is eager to get back in uniform and seems likely to be cleared soon.UP NEXTSuns: Host the Pelicans on Sunday.Lakers: Host the Knicks on Sunday. ' ' '