Read blow for Crusaders
The Crusaders were dealt a big blow with the news that the world's best player, No.8 Kieran Read, has been ruled out of their encounter with the Lions.
The Round Eight Super Rugby encounter in Johannesburg on Saturday is the first of two matches on their South African tour, which will see them tackle the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein next week.
Read has been ruled out after he failed to recover from the concussion he suffered in the loss to the Hurricanes last week.
A head knock forced the Crusaders captain and No.8 Read from the field in the first half and assistant coach Aaron Mauger confirmed the IRB player of the year was not fit to start against the Lions.
"He's still showing some minor symptoms so that is affecting his ability to take the field this weekend," Mauger said.
Despite Read's pedigree and the need for the Crusaders to win this match at Ellis Park – they have only won two of their five matches this season – Mauger said they are not willing to force Read to play while he is not fully fit.
"There is no need to risk a guy," he said.
"His personal health is more important than anything we are trying to achieve for the team.
"Health definitely comes first and we are lucky we have a good doctor [Deb Robinson] and she has dealt with these things many times before."
Read was tested by Robinson before the team flew from Christchurch last Saturday.
The ankle injury he suffered against the Hurricanes was not serious.
The Crusaders are already without All Black captain and flank Richie McCaw (broken thumb) and flyhalf Dan Carter, who won't return from his sabbatical until early July.
Head coach Todd Blackadder made six changes to the starting line-up that faced the Hurricanes last weekend.
In the forwards Dominic Bird joins Samuel Whitelock in the second row, Luke Romano was ruled out of contention with a calf injury sustained early in the Hurricanes match.
Read's unavailability means Luke Whitelock will pull on the No.8 jersey and George Whitelock comes in at No.6.
Ryan Crotty will step up to the captaincy this week and also shifts from outside centre to No.12.
Two backline players will get their first starts of the season – Kieron Fonotia at No.13 and Nemani Nadolo on the wing.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Nemani Nadolo, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ryan Crotty (captain), 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Tyler Bleyendaal, 23 Tom Taylor.
Date: Saturday, April 5
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT; 03.05, Sunday April 6 NZ time)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa), Jaco van Heerden (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
