Carter goes Lion hunting
The inclusion of Dan Carter is one of four changes to the Crusaders team to play the Lions in a Super Rugby match in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Head coach Todd Blackadder named Carter to start at flyhalf, after playing him off the bench in the 28-21 win over the Cheetahs in Christchurch last week.
It will be Carter’s first start since he suffered a serious groin injury during the World Cup last year.
Carter, who had torn the adductor longus tendon in his left groin, suffered the injury during kicking practice ahead of the Group A match against Canada.
The inclusion of Carter at No.10 for Saturday’s game in Johannesburg will see Tom Taylor move to inside centre.
George Whitelock and Wyatt Crockett both return to the starting fifteen this week, with Luke Whitelock and Ben Franks moving to the bench.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Ryan Crotty, 22 Tom Marshall.
Date: Saturday, March 31
Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Reuben Rossouw (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
