Crusaders shuffle the deck for Sharks clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has named his team for the match against the Sharks at Christchurch Stadium on Friday.
The front row is unchanged from the team that took the field against the Lions last week.
There is a new locking combination this week with Mitch Dunshea and Scott Barrett to start, and Luke Romano named on the bench. Jordan Taufua gets a start on the blindside, and Matt Todd returns to captain the team, in the absence of Sam Whitelock, who is on an All Blacks rest week.
Bryn Hall is another who returns to the squad and will start at scrumhalf, with Mitch Drummond moving to the reserves, and Mitch Hunt gets an opportunity in the No. 10 jersey in place of Richie Mo’unga, who is also on All Blacks rest. Brett Cameron will provide cover in the reserves.
This Friday night we take on the @TheSharksZA here at home, and here is our team for the game 👊🏽 Reado is set to play his 150th match!! So to celebrate, we have a special ticket for the kids… read more at https://t.co/i7LoeeIqeS #CRUvSHA pic.twitter.com/IDEbtbHOBh
— BNZ Crusaders (@crusadersrugby) May 1, 2019
A new midfield combination will take the field against the Sharks, with Jack Goodhue lining up to start at inside centre and Braydon Ennor retaining his spot at outside centre.
Goodhue, alongside Codie Taylor, has been named as vice-captain for this game. The final change in the starting side sees promising young outside back Will Jordan start at fullback.
The Crusaders will celebrate another important milestone in this game, with Kieran Read set to lead the team out in what will be his 150th Super Rugby match.
Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 George Bridge, 10 Mitch Hunt, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd (captain), 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Mitchell Dunshea, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Isi Tu’ungafasi, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Tim Bateman.
Date: Friday, May 3
Venue: Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (09.35 SA time; 07.35 GMT)
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser, James Munro
TMO: Glen Newman
