The Crusaders have named a strong side to face the Blues in a tough away game on Friday. Neither captain Richie McCaw nor flyhalf sensation Dan Carter is yet available, though.
The opener, which could go some way to deciding supremacy in the New Zealand conference, will see the Saders, notoriously slow starters in the competition, needing to dig deep in order to come out on top. Young Matt Todd, one of the finds of the 2011 season, will again deputise for McCaw in the number 7 jersey, with experienced number 8 Kieran Read assuming the captaincy,
Tyler Bleyendaal gets a run at first five (flyhalf) in Carter’s stead, while Ryan Crotty benefits from Sonny Bill Williams’ off-season move to the Chiefs and comes in to partner Robbie Fruean in the centres.
Crusaders team to play the Blues:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Quentin MacDonald
3. Ben Franks
4. Tom Donnelly
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. George Whitelock
7. Matt Todd
8. Kieran Read (capt)
9. Andy Ellis (vice capt)
10. Tyler Bleyendaal
11. Israel Dagg
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Sean Maitland
15. Tom Marshall
Reserves:
16. Corey Flynn
17. Owen Franks
18. Luke Romano
19. Luke Whitelock
20. Willie Heinz
21. Tom Taylor
22. Adam Whitelock
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Is Guildford injured or still in “rehabilitation”?
Interesting that Corey Flynn is not starting..
Should be the match of the weekend, in my opinion.
1 done 14 to go 😈
@The Quirk (Comment 1) :
He has been battling alcoholism …not sure of current status.
Still a very strong team. Imo young man Bleyendaal is going to be a key player.
@JarsonX (Comment 5) :
Any South African connections there ?
Only four Whitelocks in the team?
Starting to sound like the Jones’s for Wales..
@Zibbie (Comment 6) :
Sent application …whats with the Strauss beard …lol atleast you don’t have to get one at the game..
@csb (Comment 8) :
haha . SB is very fussy about what profile pic they allow . a few off my friends had a thing to see who could get the weirdest pic accepted on Superbru . i dindt win 😯
PS thats not really me 😛
De Ja Vu..
@Zibbie (Comment 9) : no wonder that guy looked at me funny when I called him Zibbie, thought you just rude 😆
@Franshark (Comment 11) :
haha . man i should have have gone with that and then been real nasty on here 😛
@Zibbie (Comment 6) : I have no idea.
@richard. Surely sharks bulls is the match of the weekend, or are you expecting us to walk it?
@jako (Comment 14) :
Sharks/Bulls should be a good game, but the one I am most looking forward to is the Crusaders/Blues game.
I get very nervous for Bulls matches in Pretoria, so it will be a nailbiting evening for me..
Interestign that Dagg is on the wing, if it happened in Sa we would be saying they killing his national team chances! Ive seen Bleyendaal play twice and neither time has he impressed me…he always looks rushed!
Matt Todd,1 of my favourite players of the 2011 comp,I’d be dissapointed if he doesn’t wear the black jersey this year
@Ludz (Comment 17) : I also like him a lot
@SheldonK (Comment 16) : I think this is a measure to accommodate a really good player in Tom Marshall while their AA player serves his 4 week ban.
Once Guildford is back I’m sure Dagg will return to FB.
gonna be a cracker of a game this