Lions to face Crusaders big four

 

Coach Todd Blackadder says they will likely start so he can get the best from them.

 

"There's a lot of pressure on these guys too, they haven't played a lot of rugby and they've got to come into a team under pressure, but what we need is the whole team to perform."

 

Whitelock is keen to get back out there after having an extended break to help with the workload in a World Cup year.

 

"Kieran and I have been training fairly hard over the past six weeks so hopefully we get the opportunity to get out there and get amongst it."

 

Whitelock concedes he's not a very good spectator, making the past few weeks difficult.

 

"Myself and Kieran pretty much commentate the whole game there's some bad language.

 

"It's not nice if people have to sit there and watch the game with me, most of the time my partner Hannah gives me a little leeway and sits on the other side of the lounge as I'm watching it."

 

Todd Blackadder says Carter is back to 100 percent after a leg injury.

 

He says he trained fully throughout the bye week and looks very sharp.

 

In contrast, Israel Dagg will miss another week with a quad injury while Matt Todd will be rested after a demanding schedule.