News

The Crusaders will open the Super Rugby season this Friday night when they meet the Blues in Auckland.  Coming off a successful pre-season where they knocked off the Highlanders, Hurricanes and Rebels, the Crusaders will be looking to continue their winning streak as the official season kicks off.

Four changes have been made to the starting fifteen that met the Rebels last week:

Wyatt Crockett comes into the number one jersey, and Ben Franks moves from loosehead prop to tighthead prop in place of brother Owen who will take the bench.

Sam Whitelock and Tom Donnelly remain the starting locks but switch jerseys.  They will be backed up by Luke Romano on the bench.

Robbie Fruean returns to centre and Ryan Crotty has recovered from a hamstring strain to start at second five.  Adam Whitelock, who has filled both positions in the last two warm-up games, is named in the reserves.

Crusaders team to play the Blues:

1.    Wyatt Crockett

2.    Quentin MacDonald

3.    Ben Franks

4.    Tom Donnelly

5.    Samuel Whitelock

6.    George Whitelock

7.    Matt Todd

8.    Kieran Read (capt)

9.    Andy Ellis (vice capt)

10. Tyler Bleyendaal

11. Israel Dagg

12. Ryan Crotty

13. Robbie Fruean

14. Sean Maitland

15.  Tom Marshall
    

Reserves:

16. Corey Flynn

17. Owen Franks

18. Luke Romano

19. Luke Whitelock

20. Willie Heinz

21. Patrick Osborne

22. Adam Whitelock