Dagg wings it for changed Saders
Israel Dagg will start at left wing for the Crusaders when they take on the Stormers in Christchurch on Saturday.
The All Black fullback was dropped to the bench for last week's 24-35 loss to the Blues after starting in the number 15 jersey in the Crusaders' opening game defeat to the Chiefs.
Dagg replaces the injured Nafi Tuitavake, who is recovering from a hamstring strain, which gives Tasman centre Kieron Fonotia the chance to make his Crusaders debut if he comes off the bench.
Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder has made a total of seven changes to his starting line-up for the Stormers game.
Willi Heinz will start at scrumhalf this week and Andy Ellis will be ready to provide cover from the bench.
Johnny McNicholl comes back into the starting line-up to replace Rob Thompson, who drops out of the matchday 23.
In the forwards, Wyatt Crockett will start at loosehead prop, replacing Tim Perry who moves to the bench.
Luke Romano takes Dominic Bird's place in one of the starting lock positions alongside Sam Whitelock.
Luke Whitelock gets the number 6 jersey from his eldest brother George, who is recovering from an adductor strain and will miss the match.
While, with Richie McCaw out after having had surgery on a broken thumb, Matt Todd steps into the openside flank starting spot and Jordan Taufua will take his place on the bench.
Crusaders: 15 Colin Slade, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Reynold Lee-Lo, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Israel Dagg, 10 Tom Taylor, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Luke Whitelock, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Dominic Bird, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Andy Ellis, 22 Tyler Bleyendaal, 23 Kieron Fonotia.
Date: Friday, March 7
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT; 08.35 SA time)
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
TMO: Chris Watt (New Zealand)
