Crusaders Super rugby head coach Scott Robertson has named a team to play the Highlanders on Friday with seven changes to the side that played the Brumbies.
Andrew Makalio will start this game at hooker, and Ben Funnell has been named on the bench. Codie Taylor, who was withdrawn from last week’s match with a calf strain, will be rested this week ahead of the bye.
Owen Franks, who suffered a shoulder sprain in the Brumbies match, will also sit out the southern derby, and is replaced by Michael Alaalatoa in the No. 3 jersey. Oliver Jager will provide cover on the bench.
The final changes to the forward pack will see Sam Whitelock and Whetukamokamo Douglas return to the starting side, and Whitelock resume the captaincy.
At halfback, Bryn Hall and Mitchell Drummond swap this week, so that Hall starts and Drummond moves to the bench. Jack Goodhue and Braydon Ennor both return to the starting side at centre and on the right wing respectively.
The only other change to the match day 23 sees Mitch Hunt replace Brett Cameron on the bench.
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody ,2. Andrew Makalio, 3. Michael Alaalatoa , 4. Scott Barrett ,5. Sam Whitelock (C) ,6. Whetukamokamo Douglas ,7. Matt Todd (VC) ,8. Kieran Read , 9. Bryn Hall ,10. Richie Mo’unga ,11. Sevu Reece ,12. Ryan Crotty (VC) ,13. Jack Goodhue ,14. Braydon Ennor ,15. David Havili
Replacements 16. Ben Funnell ,17. Harry Allan ,18. Oliver Jager ,19. Quinten Strange ,20. Jordan Taufua ,21. Mitchell Drummond ,22. Mitchell Hunt ,23. Will Jordan