Crusaders v Hurricanes: Teams

All Blacks duo Richie McCaw and Brad Thorn have both been named in the Crusaders' starting XV for the visit of Hurricanes.

At AMI Stadium, Friday February 27, kick-off 6.35am

All Blacks duo Richie McCaw and Brad Thorn have both been named in the Crusaders' starting XV for the visit of the Hurricanes on Friday. McCaw passed a post-concussion impact test on Wednesday, while Thorn passed a fitness test on a heel injury. Scrum-half Andy Ellis has failed to recover from a sprained ankle, and so Kahn Fotuali'i will continue to deputise at No.9. Isaac Ross and George Whitelock make way for Thorn and McCaw respectively, both dropping to the bench. Forward cover Michael Paterson, originally bracketed to cover the second row and loose forward, drops out of the confirmed match-day 22.

Flynn out

The outlook was also positive for experienced full-back Leon MacDonald, who injured a shoulder against the Chiefs. He is expected to be available for next Saturday's match with the Highlanders in Dunedin. Otago draft player Jason Macdonald makes his first start of the season as a replacement at hooker for Corey Flynn, who fractured his left arm against the Brumbies, an injury that should see him miss the remainder of the campaign. Tasman's Daniel Perrin will be the replacement hooker, a position in which the Crusaders are short on numbers. Injuries notwithstanding, Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder has kept faith in the line-up that almost prevailed in Canberra despite being outgunned in terms of territory and possession in the final quarter. Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper has made eight changes to his side to play the reigning champions, reverting to a full-strength line-up for the trip to the reigning champions.

Guildford return

Skipper Rodney So'oialo returns to lead the side after serving a one-match suspension, and with last week's number eight Victor Vito on his way to Dubai for the World Cup sevens in ten days' time. Ged Robinson replaces the disgraced Dane Coles at hooker, while Tim Fairbrother takes over from All Black Neemie Tialata at tighthead prop. Karl Lowe replaces Faifili Levave at blindside flanker. In a reshuffled backline, Piri Weepu is at fly-half, with Alby Mathewson at scrum-half, and Daniel Kirkpatrick on the bench. There is a return for the international midfield paring of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith, Nonu starting at twelve for Jason Kawau, who drops out of the squad altogether, while Smith comes off the bench last week at centre for Tamati Ellison. Zac Guildford returns to the right wing in place of David Smith. Crusaders: 15 Stephen Brett, 14 Jared Payne, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Kade Poki, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Kieran Read, 5 Ross Filipo, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Jason Macdonald, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Daniel Perrin, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Isaac Ross, 19 George Whitelock, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Ryan Crotty, 22 Adam Whitelock. Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Piri Weepu, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Karl Lowe, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Jacob Ellison, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Bryn Evans, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 21 Tamati Ellison, 22 David Smith.