Crusaders make one change

The Crusaders make one change, Ti'i Paulo for injured hooker Corey Flynn, for Saturday's Super 14 final.

Flynn's injury opens door for Paulo

The Crusaders make only once, Ti'i Paulo for injured hooker Corey Flynn, for Saturday's Super 14 final at AMI Stadium against the NSW Waratahs. Flynn broke his right forearm early in last weekend's 33-22 semi-final win over the Hurricanes and is likely to be out of action for three months. Paulo made his Super Rugby debut in 2005 but, before this year, had played only six games. However, this season he has appeared 13 times for the Crusaders. Coach Robbie Deans said it was bad luck for Flynn but the side had every confidence in Paulo. "He's played very well for us when given the opportunity, and I'm sure he will do so again," he said. Steve Fualau, from the Crusaders' wider training group, has been added to the bench. Deans continued his line of thinking by saying that while the side came through the semi-final well, results before counted for nothing. "The Waratahs have shown themselves to be a very resilient opponent," he added. "They are a team that has overcome their share of adversity to be peaking at the right time. "As such, they are very definitely going to be the toughest challenge that we have faced this year, but that's as it should be in the final." Crusaders: 15 L MacDonald, 14 K Poki, 13 C Laulala, 12 T Bateman, 11 S Hamilton, 10 D Carter, 9 A Ellis; 8 M Tuiali'i, 7 R McCaw (capt), 6 K Read, 5 A Williams, 4 B Thorn, 3 G Somerville, 2 T Paulo, 1 W Crockett
Replacements: 16 S Fualau, 17 B Franks, 18 R Thorne, 19 N Manu, 20 K Fotuali'i, 21 S Brett, 22 S Maitland