Sam Whitelock
Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder has made just one change to his team to face the Highlanders this Saturday night in a battle for the New Zealand Conference.
Sam Whitelock, who was a late withdrawal from last week’s team, has returned to the starting line-up, which means Jimmy Tupou is on the bench. The remainder of the line-up is the same as the one that defeated the Blues last weekend.
Eighteen weeks of competition culminates in this southern derby. It is the final round of pool play and will determine log placings and qualifiers for the Super Rugby Finals Series.
While the Crusaders are already guaranteed a post-season berth, they are also working towards a second place qualification that would see them proceed directly to a home Semi-Final.
“That will require us to beat the Highlanders and beat them well,” Blackadder said.
“The Highlanders are also a gutsy side though and we know that they will be putting everything they’ve got into this encounter. We are going to have to put in the performance of the season to come out on top, and that is exactly what the team has committed to doing.”
With the Sharks set to visit DHL Newlands to play the Stormers in the final match of the regular season, the overall standings won’t be known until early Sunday morning (New Zealand time).
Even a bonus point win over the Highlanders would still have the Sharks within striking distance and the South Africans would take second spot with a four-try victory by 10 points more than the Crusaders (potentially) win by.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Kieron Fonotia, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (Captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Luke Whitelock, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Tom Taylor, 23 Johnny McNicholl.
Date: Saturday 12 June
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-Off: 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 7:35 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Chris Watt (New Zealand)