McCaw leads crusade against Rebels
World Cup-winning All Black captain Richie McCaw will lead the Crusaders for the first time this year, when they head to Melbourne to face the Rebels on Saturday.
Coach Todd Blackadder has made five changes to the team that started against the Reds last Sunday, including a new captain in McCaw.
There is just one change to the tight five, with Wyatt Crockett making a start at No.1 and Ben Franks waiting on the bench.
The players in jerseys No.7 through No.9 are all making their first starts of the season – McCaw at openside flank, Luke Whitelock at No.8 and Willi Heinz at scrumhalf.
Kieran Read will provide loose forward cover from the reserves and Andy Ellis will be ready to step in at No.9 if needed.
Tom Marshall enters the starting XV at fullback, meaning Israel Dagg will be on the bench as cover for the outside backs.
Lock Tom Donnelly was a late withdrawal from the team against the Reds last weekend after hurting his back, so his position in the reserves is subject to his full participation in training.
Wing Sean Maitland will celebrate a milestone this weekend, playing his 50th Super Rugby game.
Crusaders: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Tom Taylor, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Tom Donnelly/Ross Kennedy, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Ryan Crotty, 22 Israel Dagg.
Date: Saturday, May 12
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 19.40 (09.40 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: James Leckie (Australia), Will Houston (Australia)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)
