Crusaders v Blues: Teams
Stephen Brett starts at fly-half for the Blues as they take on a Crusaders side without talismanic skipper Richie McCaw.
Last Updated: 10/06/11 10:13am
Crusaders welcome back Sam Whitelock and Andy Ellis for Saturday's showdown with the Blues at Alpine Energy Stadium.
Lock Whitelock makes his long-awaited return from an ankle injury that he suffered during his side's trip to London to face the Sharks back in March.
Now fully fit, he comes straight back into the starting XV in place of Chris Jack to partner Brad Thorn in the second row.
Scrum-half Ellis, meanwhile, is back from a broken thumb, but the Crusaders are without skipper Richie McCaw - the flanker has suffered discomfort in his foot following a recent operation.
Kieran Read will captain the side at number eight, with Matt Todd alongside him in the back row. Ben Franks starts at loosehead ahead of Wyatt Crockett.
The Crusaders will be hoping for a repeat of their 27-0 win over the same opponents back in April, though they did lose to the Blues in round one.
"This match will be a big occasion - the Blues are a top team, they beat , us in round one, and both teams have everything to play for," head coach Todd Blackadder said.
"We're well rested after our bye in the weekend but will have to turn up , ready to go on Saturday night."
Brett recalled
Blues coach Pat Lam has opted to recall Stephen Brett, who will come up against his former team, at fly-half.
Brett was only amongst the replacements last time out but is preferred to Luke McAlister at 10, with the latter being shifted to inside centre instead.
Benson Stanley is alongside former Sale Shark McAlister in the midfield and Jared Payne moves to full-back, replacing Lachie Munro.
Up front, skipper Keven Mealamu returns at hooker and he is joined in the front row by Charlie Faumuina, with John Afoa switching sides to tighthead.
Lam's side have lost their last three outings, including going down 16-11 on home soil to the Chiefs last weekend, but still sit in third position in the overall standings.
Crusaders: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Brent Ward, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Jonathan Poff, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 Ryan Crotty.
Blues: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Benson Stanley, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 John Afoa.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Chris Lowrey, 19 Sean Polwart, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Lachie Munro, 22 Sherwin Stowers.
