Crusaders rest key duo
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has opted to rest Sam Whitelock and Matt Todd against the Western Force this weekend.
Blackadder has made four changes to the starting XV that played the Sharks last Friday night.
Corey Flynn returns to the No.2 jersey, moving Ben Funnell to the bench. The game will mark the 250th first-class game of rugby for Flynn, a record that is shared by only 50 players in the history of New Zealand Rugby.
Dominic Bird replaces Whitelock while Shane Christie earns his first appearance for the Crusaders in the No.7 jersey. In the backline, Israel Dagg returns to fullback, moving Tom Marshall to the wing and Zac Guildford onto the bench.
Dan Carter has been ruled out of this weekend’s game following a hamstring strain sustained at training. He has returned to New Zealand and will undergo further medical assessment but is likely to be out of the game for a couple of weeks. .
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Adam Whitelock, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Tom Marshall, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Shane Christie, 6 George Whitelock (captain), 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Jordan Taufua, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Telusa Veainu, 22 Zac Guildford.
Date: Saturday, April 13
Venue: NIB Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 19.45 (11.45 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: James Leckie (Australia), Damien Mitchelmore (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
