Crotty returns to face Blues
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Head coach Todd Blackadder has made four changes to last week’s starting line-up, including a return for All Black centre Ryan Crotty.
In the forward pack, Codie Taylor and Ben Funnell have rotated so that Taylor starts at hooker this week, as have Owen Franks and Nepo Laulala with Franks starting at tighthead.
Mitchell Drummond will start at scrumhalf with Andy Ellis moving to the bench.
Crotty has recovered from a head knock and will start at outside centre, with Kieron Fonotia ready to provide some impact from the bench.
Blackadder says the overall squad is largely unchanged from last week, in a showing of faith from the coaches that these players can do the job.
“While we haven’t got the results we need in the last couple of weeks, we are not hitting the panic button and making wholesale changes because we know that our men will step up," Blackadder said.
"There is an immense amount of talent in this group and the changes that need to happen to turn our losses into wins are not big changes.
"Nobody will be more determined to turn things around than these boys are.
Crusaders: 15 Tom Taylor, 14 David Havili, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Andy Ellis, 22 Kieron Fonotia, 23 Nafi Tuitavake.
Date: Saturday, April 25
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Chris Pollock
Assistant Referees: Kane McBride, Jamie Nutbrown
TMO: Vinny Munro
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