The Crusaders have named captain Richie McCaw at No.8 in the team to play the Force at Christchurch’s AMI Stadium (Addington) on Satuday.
Crusaders Head Coach Todd Blackadder has made three changes to the starting line-up that met the Chiefs in Hamilton last weekend and two positional changes
Kieran Read’s rib injury in the Chiefs match has ruled him out for this week, so captain Richie McCaw will move into the number 8 position and Matt Todd will come in at openside flanker.
Tom Donnelly and Luke Romano will make up the locking duo this weekend, with Samuel Whitelock moving to the reserves.
Adam Whitelock shifts from the wing to centre, making room for Sean Maitland to start in his favoured position of right wing. That sees Robbie Fruean move to the bench.
Crusaders
1. Ben Franks 2. Corey Flynn , 3. Owen Franks , 4. Luke Romano , 5. Tom Donnelly , 6. George Whitelock , 7. Matt Todd , 8. Richie McCaw (c) , 9. Andy Ellis , 10. Dan Carter (vc) , 11. Zac Guildford , 12. Ryan Crotty , 13. Adam Whitelock , 14. Sean Maitland , 15. Israel Dagg
Replacements : 16. Quentin MacDonald ,17. Wyatt Crockett ,18. Samuel Whitelock , 19. Luke Whitelock ,20. Willi Heinz , 21. Tom Taylor , 22. Robbie Fruean
