Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has named his side to face the Chiefs in Napier and it contains a number of changes to the unit that went down unexpectedly against the Highlanders in week 2.
Owen Franks and Corey Flynn will replace Quentin MacDonald and Wyatt Crockett in the starting 15, with the latter pair moving to the bench. Ben Franks moves from tighthead prop to loosehead to accommodate his brother in the number 3 jersey. Luke Romano comes into the second row to partner Tom Donnelly, demoting Sam Whitelock to the wood where he will sit next to brother Luke.
With two other Whitelocks still in the starting team (flanker George and centre Adam) there’s not need for this great Canterbury rugby family to feel under-represented, though!
In the final change, Zac Guildford will start at left wing, forcing a back-three shuffle that sees Israel Dagg move to 14, Sean Matiland at fullback and Tom Marshall dropped to the bench.
The Crusaders team to play the Chiefs:
1. Ben Franks
2. Corey Flynn
3. Owen Franks
4. Luke Romano
5. Tom Donnelly
6. George Whitelock
7. Matt Todd
8. Kieran Read (Capt.)
9. Andy Ellis (Vice Capt.)
10. Tyler Bleyendaal
11. Zac Guildford
12. Adam Whitelock
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Israel Dagg
15. Sean Maitland
Reserves:
16. Quentin MacDonald
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Sam Whitelock
19. Luke Whitelock
20. Willi Heinz
21. Tom Taylor
22. Tom Marshall
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WOW !!!! all the saders in my FL seems to be fit and in the starting 15 …
Touchwood
Where is Ryan Crotty?
Is he injured?
@Zibbie (Comment 1) : I don`t get it.
Starting to suspect all the coaches have my justrugby password, before selecting the team they have a quick look at Jeremy 13`s XV and go the opposite way!
@Original Pierre (Comment 3) :
You see .. because of all the bad comments you make
no im waiting for the Blues team to be announced .. see how stuffed i am exactly
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 2) : I’d like to know as well
I wonder why they’re playing Dagg at 14 and Maitland at 15?
@Pokkel (Comment 6) : Typo
Pokkel,also wondering the same thing
@Zibbie (Comment 4) : You mean people don`t like my honest approach?
Okay I`ll switch tactics thanx for the heads up.
Oh and here`s my hint for today : Don`t worry about the blues, they`ll get stuffed in SnorCity this weekend.
@Pokkel (Comment 6) : @Ludz (Comment 8) : Weird! Dagg’s the best NZ fullback! Hope they’re not looking to repeat the same mistake of switching players around like when they switched Jeff Wilson to 15 and Cullen to 13!
if this game is loose from the beginning we might see a high score. both backlines are well coached, with wayne smith (chiefs attack coach) being the mastermind/genesis of the canterbury current style of play.
tim nanai-williams & robbie robinson vs israel dagg & sean maitland
adam whitelock will have his hands full tryna stop sbw.
@Megatron (Comment 11) : I’m looking forward to this game.