Blues v Crusaders: Teams
Lock Brad Thorn has been ruled out of the semi-final chasing Crusaders' crucial Super 14 game with the Blues on Saturday.
Last Updated: 14/05/09 12:45pm
The return of veteran flanker Justin Collins will provide a major boost for the Blues as they attempt to finish their season on a high with victory over the Crusaders at Eden Park.
After suffering from concussion in the Blues' Round Eleven loss to the Reds, Collins has not featured in the team since and will need a final medical check prior to kick-off to clear him.
But Collins has recovered well and is expected to be fighting fit and ready to help restore some pride to a Blues team hurting from three consecutive losses.
Crusaders news
Veteran Brad Thorn has been ruled out of the semi-final chasing Crusaders' crucial game with the Blues on Saturday.
Thorn didn't complete training on Thursday so Michael Paterson will start at lock in his place for the fourth-placed side, with Ross Filipo coming on to the bench as cover.
Thorn left the field during the Crusaders' victory over the Reds last Friday after tweaking his hamstring during the week and it hasn't recovered sufficiently.
But, on a more positive note, flanker George Whitelock trained fully with the team and will take his place on the reserves' bench.
He has not played for the Crusaders since injuring a knee during training in South Africa leading up to last month's match with the Sharks.
Following his injury in Durban, Whitelock travelled straight home to Christchurch and had keyhole surgery on a cartilage problem on 21 April.
"I'm really happy with where I'm at," said Whitelock on Thursday.
"I trained well today but was confident I would do OK. I'm now looking forward to getting on the field against the Blues in what will be a big match."
Blues: 15 Rudi Wulf, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Anthony Tuitavake, 12 Isaia Toeava, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Tom Chamberlain, 6 Justin Collins/Peter Saili, 5 Kurtis Haiu, 4 Jay Williams, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c) 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Dean Budd, 19 Peter Saili / Andrew Van der Heijden, 20 Grayson Hart, 21 Jamie Helleur, 22 Paul Williams
Crusaders: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Jared Payne, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Adam Whitelock, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Kieran Read, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Michael Paterson, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Jason Macdonald, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Dan Perrin, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Ross Filipo, 19 George Whitelock, 20 Kahn Fotuali'i, 21 Sean Maitland, 22 Hamish Gard.
