Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has made some changes to his side to take on the Sharks on Friday.
Andy Ellis takes over form Willi Heinz at scrumhalf, with two other changes at wing; Zac Guildford will play on the left, with Adam Whitelock on the opposite side.
Israel Dagg has been named on the bench, alongside an uncapped player in Telusa Veainu.
Up front, Owen Franks has been cleared to play despite fitness concerns during the week.
Crusaders team
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Corey Flynn
3. Owen Franks
4. Luke Romano
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. George Whitelock (c)
7. Matt Todd
8. Luke Whitelock
9. Andy Ellis
10. Tyler Bleyendaal
11. Zac Guildford
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Adam Whitelock
15. Tom Marshall
Reserves
16. Ben Funnell
17. Joe Moody
18. Dominic Bird
19. Jordan Taufua
20. Willi Heinz
21. Telusa Veainu
22. Israel Dagg
Tweet
Big names may be missing but there are big names still there. The forwards contain many All Blacks. This by no means is going to be an easy game. GO SHARKS! 😎
So its the Whitelocks and a few others against the Sharks…
1 Wyatt Crockett – 11 Test Caps
2 Corey Flynn- 15 Test Caps
3 Owen Franks – 45 Test Caps
4 Luke Romano – 11 Test Caps
5 Samuel Whitelock – 39 Test Caps
6. George Whitelock (c) – 1 Test Cap
7. Matt Todd – n/a (yet)
8. Luke Whitelock – n/a (yet)
122 Test Caps in that pack of forwards. Scary, considering that the Crusaders are missing Read and McCaw.
(Stats courtesy of http://www.allblacks.com).
Walk in the park for the Sharks. 😈
Geez Rachel?! How are you? Long time!
@Ice (Comment 5) : Hoesit Antie. 🙂
Seker maar goed! Jy nog in Ingeland?
The bro’s Whitelock and co. are not unbeatable. Although we will have to defend better then we did against the Brumbies!! I doubt we will score a lot of tries, but I would rather we win then score tries to be honest, I know not all will agree but rather safe then sorry. I’m am ashamed to say though when it came to SuperBru I nearly went Saders, but opted for Sharks by two, and not winning SuperBru 😛
@Ice (Comment 7) : O yes. Ingeburger. Going nowhere soon.
@Ice (Comment 7) : Sorry virrie delayed reply, but I are/was commuting. 🙂
With these two front rows, this is going to be a massive battle up front.
I read this morning in NZ newspapers that Corey Flynn has withdrawn due to an eye injury and they are flying a substitute hooker today. I do not think that he will get there on time 🙄
Time to start correcting our awful record against the Crusaders = something like 3 wins out of 16 games.
This is probably our best chance in years – but it is going to require everyone to be on the ball.