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Waratahs tweak side for Crusaders showdown

While the forwards remain untouched after their three-try haul last weekend, the backs will welcome 112 caps of Super Rugby experience in scrumhalf Nick Phipps, whose return to the fold means Jake Gordon will make his impact from the bench.

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The inclusion of Curtis Rona into outside centre means Lalakai Foketi moves to the bench.

Young prop Shambeckler Vui is in line to make his second appearance in the sky blue, coming in for stalwart Paddy Ryan in the No.18 jersey.

Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Cam Clark, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Will Miller, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Ned Hanigan, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, Tom Robertson.

Replacements: 16 Hugh Roach, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Shambeckler Vui, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Jed Holloway, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Lalakai Foketi, 23 Bryce Hegarty.

Date: Saturday, May 12

Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Kick-off: 17.15 (15.15 AEST; 05.15 GMT)

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand) 

Assistant referees: Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand), Paul Williams (New Zealand)

TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand

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