Crusaders v Chiefs: Teams
Crusaders will be looking to bounce back from a shock defeat last week as they take on derby rivals the Chiefs in Napier.
Last Updated: 20/05/11 10:32am
Crusaders will be looking to bounce back from a shock defeat last week as they take on derby rivals the Chiefs in Napier.
The seven-time Super Rugby champions suffered a surprise reverse against the Cheetahs last week, and they hope to bounce back in their New Zealand derby with the Chiefs at McLean Park in Napier.
With the Crusaders suffering from a long injury list, the Chiefs are in with a real chance of causing more damage to their rivals' morale by inflicting back-to-back defeats.
A loss at home will be a speedbump the Crusaders will be desperate to avoid with the top-of-the-table Reds lying in wait next Sunday in Brisbane.
But with a casualty ward that now includes centre Sonny Bill Williams as well as flanker Matt Todd, the red and black machine will need to fire on all cylinders.
All the Crusaders will need to put their bodies on the line as they seek to stay in touch with the Blues on the New Zealand conference table and in the top six in the overall competition.
"The Chiefs have been playing well lately and will be up for this one," coach Todd Blackadder said. "It's a New Zealand derby so it will be uncompromising and physical, that's for sure."
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has been forced into a late change as hooker Quentin MacDonald has been ruled out after tweaking his back.
His position on the reserves bench against the Chiefs will be taken by David Hall, which will be his first involvement with the Crusaders matchday squad.
While the Crusaders comfortably beat the Chiefs 34-16 in their Round Nine fixture to chalk up their third-straight win over their northern rivals, the Chiefs had won their two previous matches - the 30-24 success in Christchurch ending a 24-match unbeaten streak by the Crusaders.
The Chiefs are also currently riding a wave of confidence after seeing off the Highlanders and the Stormers in successive weeks, with the men from Waikato proving to be real spoilers while keeping their slight chances of a play-off spot alive.
Teams:
Crusaders: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Brent Ward, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Chris Jack, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 David Hall, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Brad Thorn, 19 Joe Wheeler, 20 Steve Alfeld, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 Tu Umaga-Marshall.
Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Dwayne Sweeney, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Romana Graham, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Toby Smith, 18 Culum Retallick, 19 Taiasina Tuifua, 20 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Jackson Willison.