Read returns for Saders

Read returns for Saders

Kieran Read will lead the Crusaders when they play their final pre-season match against the Rebels on Saturday.

The game will mark Read’s first since the 2011 World Cup final, and in the absence of Richie McCaw he will assume the Crusaders captaincy. Another All Black in Andy Ellis will make his first start at scrumhalf, while New Zealand tighthead Owen Franks is back in the front row.

Centre Robbie Fruean is being rested while Sean Maitland returns to the wing.

Crusaders – 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Adam Whitelock, 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Israel Dagg, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 1 Ben Franks.
Subs: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Ross Kennedy, 20 Willie Heinz, 21 James Schrader, 22 Patrick Osborne, 23 Mitch Scott, 24 Joe Wheeler, 25 Brendon O’Connor, 26 Luke Whitelock.


8 Comments

  • 1.willievz: Reply to this comment

    Overrated journeyman dragon

  • 2.Pot Blou Gevaar: Reply to this comment

    @Willievz – Read’s decent enough IMO. Truth be told, not a lot of standout no.8′s in Super Rugby as a whole over the last few years. Although some can do a steady job.

  • 3.au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir...: Reply to this comment

    i actually like this guy, which is more than i can say for his captain, but at the end of the day he still plays ‘that’ game.

  • 4.The_GENERAL: Reply to this comment

    @willievz(willievz)-1:

    Are you referring to Read the most consistent 8th man over last few seasons along with Sergio Parisse. Surely you not going to tell me that the show pony Pierre Spies or one dimensional Duane Vermeulen is better.

    He is a excellent player is tipped to take over from Sir McCaw.

  • 5.lost in translation: Reply to this comment

    Just a bunch of Franks and Whitelocks

  • 6.willievz: Reply to this comment

    @The_GENERAL(The_GENERAL)-4:

    I am going to tell you that show pony Pierre Spies or one dimensional Duane Vermeulen is better.

    Alberts, Kankowski, Johnson and Strauss are better too.

    Read would play for the Cheetahs second XV if he was a Saffa.

    But you are certainly right about Sergio Parisse – what a player!

  • 7.chch: Reply to this comment

    Hehe, yes the Cheetahs are brilliant in the new format. They ensure more South African sides make the playoffs.

  • 8.PrickBoks going South: Reply to this comment

    apparently the whinging Yappies have all the best players in every position but yet are Quarterfinal losers and perrenial TriNation spooners and get smacked like yo Daddy by 2nd-rate English club teams.

    yap yap yap is all we hear from the whinging Yappies but the big talking chihuahua ain’t got no balls.

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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