Laulala boost for Crusaders
Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:37
The Crusaders have been boosted by the return of in-form centre Casey Laulala for Friday's eagerly anticipated Super 14 encounter against the Sharks at the AMI Stadium.
Laulala is back after the head knock sustained against the Chiefs two weeks ago. The powerful centre has since successfully completed impact testing in order to be declared fit to play again.
Coach Robbie Deans has handed No.8 Nasi Manu his first start of his Super 14 career after performing impressively off the bench last week. He has replaced Mose Tuiali'i, who is demoted to the bench.
Tuiali'i is still suffering from an ailment in his lower back that flared up during the early stages of the match with the Blues.
"It's a tough blow for Mose [Tuiali'i], but we've no doubt that Nasi [Manu] will more than cover the gap that he leaves, as he did last week," said Deans.
The 19-year-old Manu has excelled to such an extent that he has quickly become a regular member of the Crusaders match day squad, featuring in every game since his debut at Pretoria in Round Two.
Manu highlighted his special talent by marking his Super Rugby debut with a try from his first touch, after he came off the bench and charged down a defensive kick during the 54-19 win over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
While acknowledging that he has 'managed' Manu's work and playing load in his debut year, Deans is adamant that the young Tongan-reared player is ready for the responsibility that comes with starting.
"There's no doubt," said Deans. "You only have to watch the footage of last week where he more than held his own against a quality opposing loose trio to see that."
Manu’s inclusion means that the Crusaders will field three members of this year's New Zealand Under-20 squad for the world tournament in June, with wings Kade Poki and Sean Maitland also having made that national team.
The change also necessitates a shuffle on the bench, allowing George Whitelock to return to the mix after he won the Crusaders' internal Player of the Match award during an outstanding debut performance against the Lions earlier in the month.
Crusaders: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Andrew Ellis, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Richard 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 George Whitelock, 20 Kahn Fotuali'i, 21 Hamish Gard, 22 Caleb Ralph.
Date: Friday, May 2
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Touch judges: Brett Bowden (Australia), Josh Noonan (New Zealand)
Television match
official: Kane McBride (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Kim Eichmann (New Zealand)
