Crusaders must be at 'full throttle'
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has made minimal changes to his team to take on the Highlanders in a Super Rugby crunch match in Christchurch on Friday.
All Blacks No.8 Kieran Read, who has recovered from a badly bruised pelvic bone, resumes his normal position in place of captain Richie McCaw – who moves to the openside flank, with Matt Todd dropping out. Ben Franks starts at tighthead prop ahead of brother Owen.
Blackadder has demanded his team must continue at "full throttle" in this all-New Zealand derby.
The Crusaders – fifth overall, but only two points ahead of the seventh-placed Highlanders – were in top gear from start to finish in their 59-12 win over the Blues a fortnight ago, but have since had a week off with the bye.
"Obviously we would like to have kept that momentum, but the bye has given us the chance to recharge the batteries," Blackadder told reporters after Crusaders' training on Wednesday.
"I felt that was a watershed moment, where we were mentally against the Blues, and we've just got to bring the same mindset once again on Friday.
"The guys have come back from the All Blacks camp full of energy and really focused, and I expect us to continue where we left off."
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Adam Whitelock, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Matt Todd, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tom Taylor, 22 Tom Marshall.
Date: Friday, June 1
Venue: AMI Stadium Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
