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Carter warms power-house bench

The Crusaders have named both Dan Carter and Kieran Read on their bench for what could be a tantalising match against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

 

Eight players have returned from the All Blacks to make the team, including prop Wyatt Crockett who will pack down with Corey Flynn and Nepo Laulala in the front row 

 

Owen Franks will provide front row cover alongside Joe Moody and Ben Funnell on the bench.

 

Locks Dom Bird and Sam Whitelock will pair up in the second row and Matt Todd will wear the No.7 jersey with Richie McCaw ruled out with an injured rib 

 

Jordan Taufua and Luke Whitelock join him in the loose forwards with Read and Jimmy Tupou named in the reserves.

 

Colin Slade returns at flyhalf with Carter's opportunity to make an impact coming from the bench in his first game for the Crusaders this season 

 

With Nemani Nadolo still representing Fiji this week, Nafi Tuitavake and Johnny McNicholl take the two wings.

 

They are joined by Ryan Crotty and Kieron Fonotia in the midfield.

 

Tom Taylor takes the fullback spot while Israel Dagg recovers from injury.

 

This is the final away game for the Crusaders in the 2014 regular season.

 

The next two home games against the Blues and the Highlanders will help decide whether they will continue to the play-off rounds.

 

Crusaders: 15 Tom Taylor, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ryan Crotty (captain), 11 Nafi Tuitavake, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Owen Franks, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Kieran Read, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Dan Carter, 23 Rob Thompson.

 

Date: Saturday, June 28

Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)

Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Richard Kelly (New Zealand)

TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)

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