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Dagg at wing for Crusaders

Last week's bench front row of Wyatt Crockett, Ben Funnell and Mike Alaalatoa becomes the starting front row for Saturday. Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody and Oli Jager will provide cover.

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Lock Quinten Strange will make his first start of the season, pairing up with Sam Whitelock. Luke Romano takes a spot on the bench.

The loose forward trio will be Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Peter Samu and Jordan Taufua, with Jed Brown having recovered from injury to take a place in the reserves.  

Israel Dagg will also return from injury to take the wing this week, with Manasa Mataele on the opposite wing. Tim Bateman steps into the inside centre spot and Seta Tamanivalu will make his start at centre.

Crusaders: David Havili, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Seta Tamanivalu, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Manasa Mataele, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Peter Samu, 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Samuel Whitelock (captain), 4 Quinten Strange, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett. 

Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Oli Jager, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Jed Brown, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 George Bridge.

Date: Saturday, May 27

Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne

Kick-off: 19.45 (21.45 NZ time; 09.45 GMT)

Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Damon Murphy (Australia)

TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)

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