The Chiefs and the Crusaders have both named their sides to face each other in the vital New zealand derby clash between the 2 sides on Friday.
Chiefs:
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie made four changes to the team to play the Crusaders in a Super Rugby blockbuster in Christchurch on Friday.
Ben Tameifuna, who has been a thorn in the Crusaders’ side in recent encounters, comes into the front row – replacing Ben Afeaki at tighthead prop.
Sam Cane starts ahead of Tanerau Latimer at openside flank.
It means Cane will face off against Matt Todd in the battle of the All Black openside flanks.
In the backline Charlie Ngatai has been named at outside centre in place of Tim Nanai-Williams, while Patrick Osbourne gets another chance on the right wing against his former franchise.
Lelia Masaga drops out of the match day 22, while Afeaki, Latimer and Nanai-Williams have all been included on the bench.
The match will be Tim Nanai-Williams 50th match for Chiefs.
This all-New Zealand derby is one of the most anticipated matches of the Super Rugby round robin competition – with both teams coming off solid wins last week.
Rennie described the Crusaders as a “quality” side.
“They will be desperate, so we know they are going to be huge challenge down in Christchurch,” Rennie added.
The Chiefs will secure top spot in the New Zealand conference if they come away with at least a point, or if the fifth-placed Crusaders fail to win with a bonus point.
Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Patrick Osborne, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Matt Vant Leven, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (captain), 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Tanerau Latimer, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Andrew Horrell, 22 Tim Nanai-Williams.
Crusaders:
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has made five changes to the starting XV that will face the Chiefs in a Super Rugby crunch match in Christchurch on Friday.
The forward pack sees the return of All Blacks Wyatt Crockett, Corey Flynn and Owen Franks to the front row.
Crockett and Flynn both started on the bench week’s 40-12 win over the Highlanders, while Franks returns from an elbow infection which saw him hospitalised for two days.
Luke Romano joins Sam Whitelock in the second row and Kieran Read reclaims the No.8 jersey – moving Luke Whitelock and Tom Donnelly to the bench.
The last time the two sides met was in Round 15 of the competition, when the Crusaders came away with a 19-28 loss.
While the Chiefs have won the last three times these two sides have met, they have not played in Crusader country since 2009.
The Crusaders will be looking to remind the Men from Mooloo Country what it’s like to play in front of a Crusader home crowd and to secure their place in the play-offs.
The Crusaders are currently sitting fifth on the table and have two round robin matches left to play.
Both games are derby matches against their New Zealand counterparts in Christchurch – the Chiefs this Friday, July 5, and the Hurricanes the following week.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Tom Marshall, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tyler Bleyendaal, 22 Telusa Veainu.
Date: Friday 5 July
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Jonathon White (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)