The Crusaders have named their team for the 2011 Super rugby opener against the Blues in Auckland on Saturday which includes three Whitelock brothers.
All Black lock Sam Whitelock is named in the starting line up as are his brothers Adam Whitelock and George Whitelock.
Openside flanker Matt Todd will make his Crusaders debut in place of Richie McCaw who is out injured after Todd impressed in the pre-season.
McCaw had surgery on the stress fracture in his foot on Tuesday this week and is expected back in four to five weeks. Kieran Read has taken over the captaincy while McCaw is out injured.
Former Highlanders fullback Israel Dagg has regained fitness after he missed the Crusaders final pre-season match with a thigh injury and has been named to start at fullback.
Crusaders coach Tood Blackadder said that the derby matches in the new Super rugby format will be crucial to the Crusaders success as it is important to finish on top of your conference.
“It’s an exciting time and we’re entering the unknown a little bit with the new format of the competition, but we are looking for a good performance against the Blues.”
“These derby matches are very important with the new conference system and I hear there will be a big crowd at Eden Park so the atmosphere should be superb,” he told NZPA.
Match No 3: Blues vs Crusaders
Date :Saturday 19 February
Venue : Auckland
Kick Off local: 19:35
Kick Off GMT:6:35
Referee: Chris Pollock
Assistant Ref 1:Jonathon White
Assistant Ref 2:Vinny Munro
TMO : Ben Skeen
Crusaders:
Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Adam Whitelock, Tu Umaga-Marshall, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (captain), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett.
Reserves: Francis Smith, Ben Franks, Chris Jack, Jonathan Poff, Willi Heinz, Matt Berquist, Tom Marshall/Tyler Bleyendaal.