Crusaders v Brumbies: Teams

The Crusaders have made two changes for their must-win Super 14 clash with the Brumbies.

Owen Franks and Sam Whitelock come into the side at the expense of the benched Wyatt Crockett and Chris Jack for a game the Christchurch-based side need to win to keep alive their play-off hopes.

"It's great that we are playing the Brumbies, who I'm sure will look to play an open, attacking, game," said coach Todd Blackadder. "It's winner-takes-all and we're all looking forward to it.

"We took a lot from that match against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld and are excited about getting back to AMI Stadium and playing in front of our home crowd."

Blackadder has also made a change on the bench, with Willi Heinz replacing the suspended Kahn Fotuali'i.

Challenges

The Brumbies will welcome Julian Huxley back into the No.15 shirt after he recovered from a hamstring injury.

Huxley has missed the past two matches but his returns means that Adam Ashley-Cooper switches to the left wing while Andrew Smith drops back to the bench.

The Brumbies currently occupy a position in the top four, however defeat would cost them their play-off spot and coach Andy Friend knows how important this game is.

"This is a big game for both sides and is effectively a quarter-final with the loser finishing up for 2010," he said.

"In terms of challenges, they don't come much bigger than tackling the Crusaders in Christchurch but it's the job we have to get done if we're going to stay in this competition."

Crusaders: 15 Colin Slade, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Rueben Fruean, 12 Daniel Bowden, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 1 Owen Franks, 2 Ti'I Paulo, 3 Ben Franks, 4 Brad Thorn, 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 George Whitelock, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 8 Kieran Read.
Replacements: 16 Daniel Perrin, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Will Heinz, 21 Tim Bateman, 22 Jared Payne.

Brumbies: 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Tyrone Smith, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles (c), 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Mitchell Chapman, 3 Salesi Maafu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18 Ben Hand, 19 Colby Faingaa, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Brackin Karauria-Henry, 22 Andrew Smith.