Crusaders v Stormers: Teams

Gio Aplon: Faces a late fitness test

Dan Carter: Will start at inside centre for the Crusaders

All Blacks international Dan Carter will don the No.12 jersey when the Crusaders take on the Stormers in Christchurch.

Carter last started a game at inside centre for the Crusaders in 2005 but he shuffles across to the midfield to accommodate the inclusion of Tom Taylor.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said: "I just think it will take a bit of pressure off.

"It's his third game back [since his World Cup groin injury] and it's asking a little bit too much of him to do the goalkicker, be the director, be the voice and do everything.

"We just want him to play. I see it more as an opportunity rather than a demotion. We've got Tom Taylor who can now do the goalkicking and the other is we put his experience in midfield so he will shore that up.

"It gives us left and right kicker against the best defensive team in the competition.''

Injured

Blackadder has made three other changes to his line-up - with All Blacks trio Tom Donnelly, Ben Franks and Wyatt Crockett coming into the pack.

The Stormers have named Brok Harris and Gerhard van den Heever in their starting XV for the mouth-watering encounter.

Experienced tighthead prop Harris replaces the benched Frans Malherbe, while van den Heever comes in for Gio Aplon, who injured himself against the Highlanders.

Aplon has been provisionally named on the bench although JP du Plessis will feature if he fails a late fitness test.

There is a further change among the replacements, with Nizaam Carr preferred to Nick Koster.

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

Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Nizaam Carr, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Gio Aplon/JP du Plessis.

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