Crusaders load up on All Black muscle
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders will be at full strength when they host the Highlanders in the opening match of the quarterfinal on Friday.
The Crusaders welcome back key members of the squad for their clash in Christchurch.
The Crusaders’ All Black front row will start for the first time this season – with Codie Taylor and Owen Franks returning to the run-on side.
Andrew Makalio and Michael Alaalatoa move to the replacement bench.
Franks, 31, has not played since tearing a muscle in his right shoulder against the Brumbies on April 6.
Hooker Codie Taylor is also available, after sitting out a month with a broken finger.
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“[Franks] has done a lot of work,” Ryan told a media scrum at the team’s training base in Christchurch.
“Credit to him,” he said, adding: “That is the man he is – he works as hard as he can.”
In the backs, Braydon Ennor, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the Crusaders’ last regular season game against the Rebels on June 8, will take a spot on the bench this week – making way for George Bridge to return to the starting line up.
The only other changes to the matchday 23 will see Mitch Drummond and Mitch Hunt return in the reserves.
Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 5 Samuel Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor.
Date: Friday, June 21
Venue: Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
