Crusaders rotate heavies

Crusaders rotate heavies

7 Mar 2012

Todd Blackadder has made three changes and one positional switch to the Crusaders pack ahead of their match against the Chiefs on Friday.

World Cup-winning front-rowers Owen Franks and Corey Flynn start for the first time this season, while Luke Romano comes into the second row. Sam Whitelock moves to the bench for this clash, meaning Tom Donnelly will shift to No 5 and Romano will start at No 4.

Blackadder has also opted to hand Zac Guildford his first start of 2012. Guildford made his return from suspension off the bench last week, and will now start against the Chiefs in a back three that includes Sean Maitland and Israel Dagg. Interestingly, Blackadder has decided that Maitland will replace Tom Marshall at fullback and not Israel Dagg.

Crusaders – 15 Sean Maitland, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Adam Whitelock, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Ben Franks.
Subs: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tom Taylor, 22 Tom Marshall.


5 Comments

  • 1.welcome to my life, hugh...: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2012, 07:50 am

    this guy is really just a white kiwi version of allister coetzee or rassie erasmus.
    came into the coaching job with much fanfare and super cool expectations… of course his record so far says it all…oh so close also ran, bridesmaid boy.

  • 2.welcome to my life, hugh...: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2012, 07:52 am

    oh and…dragons..

  • 3.stew: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2012, 13:45 pm

    @welcome to my life, hugh…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-1: Hell of a critical comment – name one SA coach that would be able to take their team to S15 final after losing their home ground and having to win all away games – imo replacing Deans was no easy feat and Todd has the backing of the Canterbury people.

  • 4.stormer in a teacup: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2012, 13:59 pm

    @stew(stew)-3: True. These guys had the hardest itinerary so far in super rugby and they made the final.

  • 5.welcome to my life, hugh...: Reply to this comment
    7 Mar 2012, 14:29 pm

    @stew(stew)-3:
    boet, he’s been there for how long now?

    crusaders have won one title in the last 6 seasons of super rugby, blackadder’s been there since mid 2008 / start 2009…won nothing in 2009, nothing in 2010 and (yes i understand his team had a shirty schedule) nothing in 2011…

    its season number four for him… will he win anything..?..

    just saying, guy..just saying…

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