Crusaders rush Read back
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder wasted no time in drafting back regular captain Kieran Read for the big north-south New Zealand derby on Saturday.
The Crusaders play the Blues in a Super Rugby Round 14 match in Christchurch.
The inclusion of Read, who took over the captaincy when Richie McCaw opted for a sixth-month sabbatical, is the only one change to the team that beat the Brumbies in Canberra two weeks ago.
Read, who has been out with a toe injury for seven weeks, returns to the No.8 jersey moving Luke Whitelock to the bench
The game will be a special occasion for scrumhalf Andy Ellis, as he mark’s his 100th Super Rugby cap.
Ellis started his Super Rugby career in 2006 and has since clocked up eight seasons with the Crusaders, 26 All Blacks Test caps, two Super Rugby titles, three NPC titles and a World Cup.
However, the return of Read is the headline news.
Read will have three matches – against the Blues, Chiefs and Waratahs – to return to top form before captaining New Zealand in the absence of Richie McCaw in the three-Test series against France next month.
He could also help the red-and-blacks slip into second place by defeating the Blues, who sit three points ahead (41).
Crusaders: 15 Tom Taylor, 14 Tom Marshall, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Dominic Bird, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Israel Dagg.
Date: Saturday, May 18
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
