Super Rugby: Crusaders without All Blacks for Blues clash

  • 13/07/2018

The Crusaders will be missing four of the All Blacks forwards for their match against the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday.

Front-row trio Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, along with lock Scott Barrett, won't feature in the defending champions' final match of the regular season.

Moody is battling a knee injury sustained against the Highlanders last week, while Franks, Taylor and Barrett are being rested ahead of next weekend's quarter-final clash against a to be determined opponent.

As a result, Tim Perry, Andrew Makalio and Michael Alaalatoa will start in the front row, while Quinten Strange comes in for Barrett.

Otago hooker Sam Anderson-Heather has been named on the reserves bench and could make his Crusaders debut.

There are two changes in the backline, with Mitchell Drummond named to start at halfback in place of Bryn Hall, who moves to the bench, while Israel Dagg comes in for David Havili, who will also sit out this game.

Crusaders: 1-Tim Perry, 2-Andrew Makalio, 3-Michael Alaalatoa, 4-Quinten Strange, 5-Sam Whitelock, 6- Jordan Taufua, 7-Matt Todd, 8-Kieran Read, 9-Mitchell Drummond, 10- Richie Mo'unga, 11-George Bridge, 12-Ryan Crotty, 13-Jack Goodhue, 14-Seta Tamanivalu, 15-Israel Dagg

Reserves: 16-Sam Anderson-Heather, 17-Wyatt Crockett, 18-Donald Brighouse, 19-Luke Romano, 20-Pete Samu, 21-Bryn Hall, 22-Mitchell Hunt, 23-Manasa Mataele

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