Crusaders v Chiefs: Teams

At McLean Park, Friday March 9, kick-off 6.35am

Last updated: 7th March 2012   Subscribe to RSS Feed

dave rennie

Dave Rennie: Has retained the same starting XV for the Chiefs

zac guildford

Zac Guildford: Will make his first start of the season

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All Blacks winger Zac Guildford has been recalled to the Crusaders line-up for the clash with the Chiefs in Napier.

Guildford returned off the bench for the 27-24 defeat to the Highlanders after completing his suspension.

However he replaces Tom Marshall in the back three, with Sean Maitland moving to full-back ahead of Israel Dagg.

"I'm really excited at getting my first start and re-uniting with a couple of my good mates Izzy and Seany at the back and returning to my home ground at McLean Park," said Guildford.

"What happened in the past was four months ago, so that's behind me and the present is the Chiefs this Friday and that's what I'm looking forward to."

Momentum

The inclusion of Guildford is one of four changes for the match, with World Cup-winning front-rowers Owen Franks and Corey Flynn handed their first starts of the season and Luke Romano coming into the second row.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has named the same starting XV for the clash following the 29-14 win over the Blues.

Rennie has made two alterations to his bench, with Mike Fitzgerald and Jackson Willison coming in for Fritz Lee and Declan O'Donnell.

Rennie said: "The Crusaders will come back fighting after last week's loss, and we're keen to keep our momentum going so it's going to be an intense contest.

"This is a big game for us and the boys know it."

Crusaders: 15 Sean Maitland, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Adam Whitelock, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tom Taylor, 22 Tom Marshall.

Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Tim Nanai-Williams, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Arizona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Shane Cleaver, 18 Mike Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Andrew Horrell, 22 Jackson Willison.

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