Brett back at No.10 for Crusaders
Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:26
Stephen Brett will wear the No.10 jersey for the table-topping Crusaders as Robbie Deans has recalled his heavy artillery for Friday's keenly-anticipated Super 14 clash against the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Richie McCaw, Ross Filipo, Kade Poki and Kahn Fotuali'i have all been recalled to the squad after missing last week's 31-6 win over the Lions.
They take the places of George Whitelock, Michael Paterson, Reuben Thorne and Steve Alfeld respectively.
Fullback Leon MacDonald has been allowed another week to recover from the thigh muscle tear he sustained against the Hurricanes on March 28.
In his absence, Scott Hamilton will again start at fullback, with the only change to the back division from last weekend comes at No.10 where Stephen Brett returns in the place of Hamish Gard.
Brett played 10 minutes off the bench at fullback against the Lions.
That outing, and his subsequent work at training, has fully satisfied the coaching and medical staff that he has totally recovered from the AC joint injury he sustained against the Cheetahs on March 15.
The Tokoroa-raised Sean Maitland has held out the challenge of the now available again Kade Poki, to retain his position starting on the wing.
McCaw will once again captain the side in one of five changes in the forwards.
McCaw and fellow flank Kieran Read, lock Brad Thorn, hooker Corey Flynn and prop Ben Franks, are all back, with hooker Ti'i Paulo and prop Wyatt Crockett moving back to the run on reserves bench, after starting against the Lions.
Filipo also makes his return, being named on the bench after featuring for his Petone club in each of the last two weekends.
The 2007 All Black lock will be making his first appearance this season, after being forced to undergo surgery on a neck injury which troubled him during the pre-season.
His last full representative appearance was for Wellington against Manawatu on August 11 last year.
"It's been a while, and Ross [Filipo] has had to be patient, but he's ready to go and we need to get him started," said Crusaders coach Robbie Deans.
Deans made a point of recognising the contribution of the players who will not be directly involved on Friday.
"The young guys that got an opportunity last weekend delivered in a big way," he said.
"They can be proud of what they achieved, and how they have added to the team," added Deans.
Poki and halfback Kahn Fotuali'i, who were both stood down from last week's selection due to a breach of the team's internal protocols, are now available again and have been included.
The process regarding the pair's protocol breach was completed on Tuesday after a meeting with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) which has cleared the way for the players to return to full duty with the Crusaders.
The Chiefs return from their bye for this match having scored 18 tries in winning their last three matches.
Deans acknowledged that playing them away from home represented a major challenge.
"They have some dangerous strike players and the ability to score tries from anywhere on the park, especially from turnover, so concentration, discipline and accuracy is going to be vital," he said.
"They're confident, they're playing well and they'll have a big crowd behind them.
"It will be critical that we match the level of enthusiasm they bring to the contest," he added.
Crusaders: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Caleb Ralph, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Andrew Ellis, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Kieran Read, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Ti'i Paulo, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ross Filipo, 19 Nasi Manu, 20 Kahn Fotuali'i, 21 Hamish Gard, 22 Kade
Poki.
Date: Friday, April 18
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Touch judges: Steve Walsh (New Zealand), Brent Murray (New Zealand)
Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Assessor: Kim Eichmann (New Zealand)
