McCaw at 7 in full strength Crusaders outfit
Richie McCaw of the Crusaders warms up during the round 10 Super Rugby match between the Waratahs and the Crusaders at Allianz Stadium on April 29, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Cameron Spencer /Getty Images AsiaPac
The Crusaders head to Melbourne tomorrow in preparation for their match against the Rebels on Saturday night. Coach Todd Blackadder has made five changes to the team that started against the Reds on Sunday, including a new captain in Richie McCaw.
There is just one change to the tight five, with Wyatt Crockett making a start at number 1 and Ben Franks waiting on the bench.
The players in jerseys 7 through 9 are all making their first starts of the season – McCaw at openside flanker, Luke Whitelock at number 8 and Willi Heinz at halfback. Kieran Read will provide loose-forward cover from the reserves and Andy Ellis will be ready to step in at halfback if needed.
Tom Marshall enters the starting fifteen at fullback, meaning Israel Dagg will be on the bench as cover for the outside backs.
Lock Tom Donnelly was a late withdrawal from the team against the Reds last weekend after hurting his back, so his position in the reserves is subject to his full participation in training today.
Winger Sean Maitland will celebrate a milestone this weekend, playing his 50th Super Rugby game.
Crusaders team to play the Rebels:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Corey Flynn
3. Owen Franks
4. Luke Romano
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. George Whitelock
7. Richie McCaw (Captain)
8. Luke Whitelock
9. Willi Heinz
10. Tom Taylor
11. Zac Guildford
12. Dan Carter (Vice Captain)
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Sean Maitland
15. Tom Marshall
Reserves:
16. Ben Funnell
17. Ben Franks
18. Tom Donnelly (Ross Kennedy)
19. Kieran Read
20. Andy Ellis
21. Ryan Crotty
22. Israel Dagg
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