Crusaders team to play the Force

May 28 • General News, Super Rugby • 1699 Views • Comments Off on Crusaders team to play the Force

The Crusaders have made just one change to their team to play the Force, with Kieran Read returning to play for the first time in six weeks.

Read, who has fully recovered from both the concussion sustained in the Chiefs game and the cold that kept him out of contention last week, will captain the side and play at Number 8. That sees Luke Whitelock move to the bench.

There are no other changes to the team that beat the Highlanders in a southern derby thriller last Saturday night.

This will be the Crusaders’ final home game before the June test window and Head Coach Todd Blackadder said the home crowd support is going to be more important than ever.

“We are up against another very tough team this week and this win is so important for both of us. So we need to make the most of every advantage we’ve got, and the home crowd is one of the big ones,” Blackadder said. “The Crusaders supporters at AMI Stadium this season have been outstanding and we are determined to show our appreciation with a great performance on Friday night.”

Kick off at AMI Stadium (Addington) is at 7:35pm and there will be plenty of entertainment leading up to the game, including the Jordan Luck Band playing at 6:45pm.

Crusaders team to play the Force:

1. Tim Perry	RESERVES:
2. Ben Funnell	16. Corey Flynn
3. Nepo Laulala	17. Wyatt Crockett
4. Dominic Bird	18. Owen Franks
5. Samuel Whitelock	19. Jimmy Tupou
6. Jordan Taufua	20. Luke Whitelock
7. Richie McCaw	21. Willi Heinz
8. Kieran Read (C)	22. Adam Whitelock
9. Andy Ellis	23. Nafi Tuitavake
10.Colin Slade
11.Nemani Nadolo
12.Ryan Crotty (VC)
13.Tom Taylor
14.Johnny McNicholl
15.Israel Dagg