The NZPA reports openside flanker Richie McCaw has been named to lead the Crusaders for their Investec Super rugby semifinal against the Stormers in Cape Town on Sunday morning (NZtime).
McCaw has been sidelined following the narrow loss to the Reds in Brisbane on May 29 due to foot pain after surgery for a stress fracture.
But he has been given the all-clear to start the match ahead of Matt Todd this weekend.
Also cleared from injury is No 8 Kieran Read, who hurt an ankle in last weekend’s semifinal qualifier against the Sharks in Nelson but played on.
The addition of McCaw is the only change to the team which beat the Sharks 36-8 last weekend.
Hooker Corey Flynn will celebrate his 100th game for the Crusaders in this weekend’s match.
The Crusaders team to play the Stormers at Newlands Stadium on Saturday, July 2, kick-off 5.05pm (Sunday, July 3, at 3.05am NZ time), is:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Corey Flynn
3. Owen Franks
4. Brad Thorn
5. Sam Whitelock
6. George Whitelock
7. Richie McCaw (c)
8. Kieran Read
9. Andy Ellis
10. Dan Carter
11. Zac Guildford
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Sean Maitland
15. Tom Marshall
16. Quentin MacDonald
17. Ben Franks
18. Luke Romano
19. Matt Todd
20. Kahn Fotuali’i
21. Matt Berquist
22. Ryan Crotty
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May the stormers now spoil Corey Flynn’s party 🙂
That’s one mean Crusaders team. Good luck Stormers.
@franshark (Comment 1) : Seems like yesterday we were all moaning John Mitchell had picked him ahead of Anton Oliver in our RWC squad of 2003. 😎
@Ben (Comment 2) :
There have been some real contributors on that Crusaders bench this season! 😎
Going to be a thriller IMO. I’ll only get to see the 2nd half though. 🙁
Sharks did it to Bakkies. Can the Stormers do it to Flynn? If so I’ll have less than 5 FL players in the final 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 5) :
I won’t have many either except for my 15 Reds 😆
However still not enough I don’t think even with the Reds winning the Final to get into the first two….. I’m going to take it hard. 😳
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 4) : What injury did Israel Dagg pick up again? He missed a long part of the competition.
Game plan is easy for the Crusaders, get one good hit in on Peter Grant and he’ll be off. Breaks like a twig.
@Ben (Comment 7) :
Dagg did a quad apparently progressing well though will get back during ITM Cup.
Crusaders will kick all day and try and steam roll them up front! 🙄
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 8) : I’ve got a feeling the Crusaders might come up 2nd there. Stormers will take a leaf out off the Sharks book and counter ruck. Stormers defence should be solid again.
@Ben (Comment 9) :
I think the Stormers should win but it is still a fairly handy Crusaders outfit. 😕
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 10) : It seriously is indeed. When did they arrive in SA?
I’m scared!! 🙄 😯
@wpw (Comment 12) : 😆 😆 😆
@wpw (Comment 12) : You going to the game?
Saders didn’t allow any fans or media at their training .maybe worried about rassie’s spies there.?