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Read to make long-awaited comeback against Highlanders

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders starting XV to face the Highlanders on Friday features the return of eight players from All Blacks duty, and the highly anticipated return of No.8 Kieran Read from injury.

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Samuel Whitelock is back from his successful three-Test series as captain of the All Blacks to start at lock and resume the captaincy, while both Matt Todd and Ryan Crotty will resume their respective roles as vice-captains.

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Prop Wyatt Crockett will play his 200th Super Rugby match this week and will run out on to ‘Wyatt Crockett Stadium’ to bring up the milestone.

It was announced earlier this week that the stadium would be renamed for this match in acknowledgement of Crockett’s achievement.

Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Samuel Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Manasa Mataele.

Date: Friday, July 6
Venue: Wyatt Crockett Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser, Jamie Nutbrown
TMO: Aaron Paterson

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