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Crusaders change three for Blues

Crusaders' head coach Todd Blackadder has made three changes to his front five for their crucial derby against the Blues in Auckland on Saturday.

 

Prop Wyatt Crockett returns to the No.1 jersey, while Alex Hodgman moves to the bench. Hookers Ben Funnell and Codie Taylor continue to rotate with Taylor taking the starting spot.  

 

The final change to the starting XV is at lock, with Dominic Bird coming into the team alongside Luke Romano.

 

Sam Whitelock returns from a head knock to take a spot on the bench, as does Ryan Crotty.

 

In total there are five changes to the bench from last week.

 

The team has an unchanged backline to the one that beat the Hurricanes last weekend.

 

Crusaders: 15 Tom Taylor, 14 Nafi Tuitavake, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 David Havili, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Matt Todd, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Luke Whitelock, 21 Andy Ellis, 22 Ryan Crotty, 23 Kieron Fonotia.

 

Date: Saturday, June 6

Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Kick-off: 19.35 (09.35 SA time; 07.35 GMT)

Referee: Chris Pollock 

Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe, Jamie Nutbrown

TMO: Ben Skeen

 

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