All Black duo fit to face Sharks
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has revealed his team to face the Sharks in their Super Rugby quarterfinal in Christchurch on Saturday.
All Black duo Kieran Read and Ryan Crotty are both fit after picking up knocks last weekend.
Read recovered from the wrist/thumb injury he sustained against the Blues, while Crotty who hurt his thumb, will start in the No.12 spot.
Robertson revealed a team that includes three changes in the forwards and two in the backs for the match.
All Blacks front-rowers Codie Taylor and Owen Franks return to the starting line-up at hooker and tighthead respectively, meaning Andrew Makalio and Michael Alaalatoa move to the reserves bench.
Scott Barrett also returns from a rest week to resume his role at lock, and Luke Romano will once again provide cover on the bench.
The loose forward trio of Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd and Read remains unchanged this week.
Bryn Hall and Mitchell Drummond will again switch for this game, so that Hall takes the starting spot at scrumhalf and Drummond moves to the bench. The only other change sees David Havili rejoin the squad at fullback in place of Israel Dagg.
Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Samuel Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tim Perry.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Manasa Mataele.
Date: Saturday, July 21
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (09.35 SA time; 07.35 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
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