Crusaders team to play the Blues
Crusaders Head Coach Todd Blackadder has named his team to play the Blues in Auckland this Friday night. There are four changes to the starting line-up that faced the Chiefs last week.
Kieran Read returns for his first start of the season to play at number 8 and captain the side. Richie McCaw and George Whitelock are the starting openside and blindside flankers, and Matt Todd will again provide support from the bench.
Rob Thompson will be the 175th player to make his Crusaders debut when he takes the wing on Friday night. Nafi Tuitavake will make just his second start on the other wing.
Tom Taylor, who played the second half against the Chiefs last week, starts at first five this week. Colin Slade has recovered from his bruised calf to start at fullback, with Israel Dagg ready to make an impact off the bench.
The team fly to Auckland tomorrow and kick-off at Eden Park is at 7:35pm Friday night.
Crusaders team to play the Blues:
1
Tim Perry
2
Corey Flynn
3
Owen Franks
4
Samuel Whitelock
5
Dominic Bird
6
George Whitelock
7
Richie McCaw
8
Kieran Read (c)
9
Andy Ellis
10
Tom Taylor
11
Nafi Tuitavake
12
Ryan Crotty (vc)
13
Reynold Lee-Lo
14
Rob Thompson
15
Colin Slade
16
Ben Funnell
17
Wyatt Crockett
18
Nepo Laulala
19
Luke Romano
20
Matt Todd
21
Willi Heinz
22
Adam Whitelock
23
Israel Dagg
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