Dagg headlines changed Crusaders
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has made a number of changes to his team to face the Chiefs in a Super Rugby crunch match in Hamilton on Saturday.
Top of the list of changes is the decision return Israel Dagg to fullback.
The return of Dagg comes after he spent a number of matches on the bench as a result of a dip in form.
As a result Tom Taylor moves to inside centre and Ryan Crotty one place out to outside to centre, while Robbie Fruean drops down to the replacement bench.
Wing Telusa Veianu also takes his place on the bench.
Hooker Codie Taylor makes the starting fifteen, taking over from Ben Funnell, who is bracketed with Laurence Corlett on the bench.
Funnell – who picked up a knee injury in the 23-3 victory that propelled the Crusaders to fifth on the ladder – was himself a late replacement for Corey Flynn in the No.2 jersey before the win over the Blues last weekend, after Flynn tweaked a hamstring in the warm-up.
Flynn remains sidelined with that hamstring injury.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Tom Marshall, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Tom Taylor, 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 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell/Laurence Corlett, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Dominic Bird, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Robbie Fruean, 22 Telusa Veianu.
Date: Friday, May 24
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
