Crusaders name team for the Southern Derby with Highlanders
This weekend see’s the classic Southern Derby of the Investec Super Rugby tournament; Crusaders v Highlanders.
Crusaders Head Coach Todd Blackadder has named his twenty-two to take on the Highlanders on Saturday night making a number of changes to the starting line up.
The forward pack see’s a number of changes with Joe Moody starting at loosehead prop and Nepo Laulala at tighthead. Owen Franks is currently recovering from an elbow infection and is out of consideration for this match.
Corey Flynn returns from a hamstring injury taking his place on the bench, giving the starting Hooker position to Ben Funnell. If he makes it of the bench the game will mark a significant occasion for Hooker Corey Flynn. Flynn is set to become the most capped Crusader with 130 caps under his belt. He surpasses Crusaders legend Reuben Thorne.
Locks Tom Donnelly and Sam Whitelock make the starting fifteen while Luke Romano takes the bench.
Crusader and All Black number eight Kieran Read this week starts on the bench giving Luke Whitelock the number eight jersey in the starting fifteen. .
The backs however have a more familiar look to it. Tom Taylor comes in as Inside Centre moving Ryan Crotty to the outside and Robbie Fruean to the bench.
The last time the two sides met was in round ten of the competition and the Crusaders came away with a 24-10 win. They will be looking to repeat this performance and be one step closer to securing a place in the play offs.
The Crusaders are currently sitting sixth on the table and have three round robin matches left to play. All three games are against New Zealand conference counterparts, kicking off with the Southern Derby in Dunedin against the Highlanders followed by the Chiefs 5th July and then the Hurricanes on 12th July.
The match takes place on Saturday 29th June at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. Kick-off is at 7.35pm.
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