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McCaw benched for Sharks clash

By Online Editors
Thursday 2 Apr 2015
All Black captain Richie McCaw has been replaced by Matt Todd in the starting line-up to face the Sharks, after the Crusaders lost 19-31 to the Bulls last week.

 

McCaw is only one of seven changes that head coach Todd Blackadder has made, as the Canterbury team look to bounce back in their second tour game in Durban on Saturday.

 

Props Wyatt Crockett and Joe Moody have again rotated so that Crockett starts at No.1 this week. 

 

Nepo Laulala will start on the other side of the scrum in the No.3 jumper, with Owen Franks named in the reserves. 

 

Todd returns to the number No.7 jersey this week, while McCaw provides loose forward cover from the bench. 

 

Dan Carter is unavailable to play as he has returned to New Zealand, awaiting the birth of his second child.

 

This means Colin Slade moves back to flyhalf for the Canterbury side.

 

Ryan Crotty shifts to inside centre and Kieron Fonotia moves to the No.13 spot.

 

David Havili makes his first start for the Crusaders, taking up the right wing position.

 

Tom Taylor and Nafi Tuitavake will be ready to make an impact in the back line when they come off the bench.

 

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 David Havili, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Owen Franks, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Richie McCaw, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Tom Taylor, 23 Nafi Tuitavake.

 

Date: Saturday, April 4

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 15.00 (02.00 Sunday, April 5 NZDT; 13.00 GMT)

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Ben Crouse (South Africa), Rodney Bonaparte (South Africa)

TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)

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