Casey Laulala has been named in the starting line up pushing Caleb Ralph onto the bench. All Blacks coach Graeme Henry is said to favour Laulala for this season’s internationals.
Crusader’s coach Robbie Deans opted for newcomer prop Wyatt Crockett on the loosehead and leaving All Black Greg Somerville to start on the tighthead side for what will be his 100th Super rugby match for the Crusaders.
Reuben Thorne and Caleb Ralph also got their 100th caps this season.
Andrew Ellis has been named at No.9 pushing Kevin Senio out & onto the bench. Corey Flynn will start as hooker and Scott Hamilton switches sides moving from 14 to 11.
It would appear that the public are not rating this match very highly as at the end of business time on Thursday in New Zealand only 6000 of the 21000 tickets had been sold.
The Crusaders team to play the Bulls in the Super 14 semifinal at 7.35pm on Saturday May 20 at Jade Stadium, Christchurch is as follows:
1 Wyatt Crockett
2 Corey Flynn
3 Greg Somerville
4 Chris Jack
5 Reuben Thorne
6 Johnny Leo’o
7 Richard McCaw (Capt)
8 Mose Tuiali’i
9 Andrew Ellis
10 Daniel Carter
11 Scott Hamilton
12 Aaron Mauger
13 Casey Laulala
14 Rico Gear
15 Leon MacDonald
Reserves
16 Tone Kopelani
17 Campbell Johnstone
18 Ross Filipo
19 Tanerau Latimer
20 Kevin Senio
21 Cameron McIntyre
22 Caleb Ralph
