Reuben Thorne returns to the Crusaders captaincy for the first time in two years while flanker George Whitelock will make his Super 14 rugby debut against the Lions in Christchurch on Saturday.
Report courtesy News24.
There are eight personnel changes and one positional switch to the starting 15 who accounted for the Hurricanes 20-13 in Wellington two weeks ago. The Crusaders had a bye last week.
The changes have been forced for a variety of reasons, including injury with fullback Le on MacDonald (thigh muscle) and flyhalf Daniel Carter (ankle) not available.
Lock Brad Thorn (calf) and centre Stephen Brett (shoulder) are still in doubt but have been named on the reserve bench. Decisions on them will be left closer to kickoff.
If Thorn is ruled out by his niggling calf complaint, Ross Filipo will make his return from the bench after missing the first section of the campaign due to a neck injury.
Two players, winger Kade Poki and halfback Kahn Fotuali’i, have been stood down from the playing 22 under internal team protocols, after missing a training session last week.
Halfback Steve Alfeld, from the wider training group has been named among the reserves.
Hamish Gard will make his first start at first flyhalf while wingers Sean Maitland and Caleb Ralph are the other personnel changes from the backline which started at Wellington.
Scott Hamilton moves from the wing to fullback.
Up front, the selection of Whitelock on the side of the scrum, and Thorne as captain, lightens the load on regular skipper Richard McCaw, who has been rested.
The other changes among the forwards see lock Michael Paterson promoted from the bench, while hooker Ti’i Paulo and loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett take over in the front row from Corey Flynn and Ben Franks respectively.
Crusaders: Scott Hamilton, Sean Maitland, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman, Caleb Ralph, Hamish Gard, Andrew Ellis, Mose Tuiali’i, George Whitelock, Reuben Thorne (captain), Ali Williams, Michael Paterson, Greg Somerville, Ti’i Paulo, Wyatt Crockett.
Reserves: Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Brad Thorn, Nasi Manu, Steve Alfeld, Stephen Brett, Kieran Read.
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I secretely wish for some magic…imagine the Lions pull a rabit from the top hat???
That would be WAY c’ool!!! 😉
Lions’ roar will sound like a miau’u. Winning margin for the Crusaders won’t be that high though. Only between 20-30 points.
I recon 36’ish…
My magical wish is just to get a certain big-mouth quiet…. 😈
Is that your age?
Always quiet when I’m typing. 😛
LOL. Lions might actually have been in with a shout had they fielded their “strongest” team.
Or quick fingers quiet…slimjan… 😉
Why you wanna know my age??? I am a married “antie”!!! 😉
It was merely a question – nothing more, nothing less.
Thought it was a nice round bottom of a ballpark figure. 😆
BOTTOM of a ballpark figure??? Do I really look THAT old?? 🙁
At least thats not the bottom of my figures ballpark figure! 😆 😆
let’s not reveal your figure out in the open. 😀
Let’s not!!
ja, let’s get a room 😈
Just saw a headline on KEO:
Lions to attack Saders 10.
bwahahahahahahaa
dis wat jy NOU sê 😀
KEO sounds like a make-believe world to me
welcome to flirtworld.co.za 😉
Wes – your baby coming June if I remember correct? My baby was 25th…they are SERIOULY good babies!! Mine laugh all the time, eats anything and sleeps well – hope for your sake its a typical “cancerian” thing!! Just tell Mom – if its at all possible – stay in bed with baba for as long as she can – dont know where you live – but we had proper winter and that was just a great excuse for not leaving the house!!
0.04.08 12:24:22 – Kal-El
You want a Chomp?? 😉
Wes – that would make sense, wouldn’t it? I mean, a rookie flyhalf at this level in an otherwise invincible-seeming team.
So why not pick a full strength side and give yourself the best possible chance of causing an unlikely upset? But no, typical Saffa LOSER mentality sets in, so we decide to throw the game.
Have these lions ever been in the wild? I doubt they know the meaning of attack.
They don’t even have a 10 themselves. Gard is better than Stydom en Van Schalkwyk put 2gether.
Cru, you Saders supporters are so biased! 🙄
Just wait for the real game…then he’s gonna swallow a lot more than his words!! 😈 😈
Bwwaaahahaha indeed…
These Kitty’s wouldn’t even attack a trapped, blind mouse…
Agree Rod. I mentioned the same thing in #6 above.
ok, so maybe I should read the previous comments 😉
Guys, would you like me to look into numbering the posts? 😉
BSvdM
I’ce, you wanna swallow my what? 😯
please do Rob, cause IE 8 beta don’t like me copying the date and time of the comment.
I need to do an upgrade to WP 2.5… might get to it this weekend. Will have a look at it then.
rob… yay for numbering…it does make things simpler…
Yes please Rob – numbering might be “keo” ish (as someone said before) but its much easier..
kallie!! 😯 😯
I am in the process of doing it
Hoelykit?
#19
We are fortunately in CT. 😎
my best mate’s birthday is 22 June.
He can be a real pain in the ass sometimes 😉
guys – surely a little pat on the back is in order here? I mean, which other website is AS RESPONSIVE to users’ needs? 😉
my best mate’s birthday is 22 June.
He can be a real pain in the ass sometimes 😉
Comment 36 of 36, posted at 10.04.08 12:51:24 by robd’ylan
Wow that much of a best mate….nudge nudge wink wink…say no more
I like to think we have an “open and honest relationship” 😉
DP – you are also a pain in the ass, but I still like you 🙄
oh wait – sorry. Silly me.
I just caught what you ACTUALLY meant….
He lives in Cape Town too!
THANKS ROB!!!!!
35. UNfortunately you are in CT…but it also get cold and wet in winter? My point is – be as mellow and rustig as possible the 1st couple of months – then you will have a very content baby… 😀
It’s a pleasure, Ice 😉
Is your ‘best mate’ a Stormers supporter???
Do you like the way he does his hair???
I am envious of anyone who has hair
😆
Well done on the numbering thing rob…
And you’ve got mail…