News

The Crusaders have made a number of changes from the side that started against the Highlanders, All Blacks Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock and Israel Dagg have been named for their first start of the 2012 Crusaders campaign. Adam Whitelock replaces Ryan Crotty in the starting XV, after Ryan suffered a hamstring strain in the match in Greymouth.

Tom Taylor makes a start at first five and replaces Tyler Bleyendaal who moves to the bench.

Wyatt Crockett will again captain the side after a successful first pre-season outing in Greymouth on Friday night, which the Crusaders won 47-19.

This match will be the first time all four Whitelock brothers have been named in the starting XV for the Crusaders. The Whitelock’s grew up on a dairy farm, 30 minutes from Mangatainoka, and this will be the first time they have all taken the field together since 2003 when the hostel played the day boys at Fielding Area High School.

This Saturday’s game, which kicks off at 3pm is already a sell-out with over 8000 people attending the match. It will be played on Neil ‘Skin’ Symonds' farm next to the Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka, which has been transformed from a bare paddock into a ground befitting the quality of Super Rugby players.

The Crusaders team to play the Hurricanes in their second pre-season match on Saturday afternoon in Magatainoka is:

1.Wyatt Crockett

2.Quentin MacDonald       

3.Owen Franks

4.Ross Kennedy

5.Sam Whitelock

6.George Whitelock

7.Matt Todd

8.Luke Whitelock

9.Willi Heinz

10.Tom Taylor

11.Israel Dagg

12.Adam Whitelock

13.Robbie Fruean

14.Patrick Osborne

15.Tom Marshall

Reserves:

16.Corey Flynn

17.Ben Franks

18.Tom Donnelly

19.Luke Romano

20.Joe Wheeler

21.Brendon O’Connor

22.Kieran Read

23.Ben Funnell

24.Andy Ellis

25.Tyler Bleyeendal

26.Sean Maitland

27. Mitchell Scott

28. James Schrader