Rugby: Crusaders make five changes for Chiefs clash

Dan Carter was too hot to handle for the Highlanders.
Dan Carter was too hot to handle for the Highlanders.
Todd Blackadder has predictably named his strongest side to face the Chiefs in Christchurch on Friday.

He has made five changes to the starting XV which beat the Highlanders 40-12 in Dunedin last weekend.

Wyatt Crockett, Corey Flynn and Owen Franks return to the front row, the latter returning from an elbow infection which saw him hospitalised for two days.

Luke Romano joins Sam Whitelock in the middle row and Kieran Read claims the No8 jersey.

The Chiefs won the first encounter between the sides 28-19 in Hamilton in May. The Chiefs have not played in Christchurch since 2009 - the Crusaders playing the fixture in Napier since then.

Last year the Crusaders suffered a narrow loss to the Chiefs at McLean Park.

The Crusaders, fifth on the table, need a victory to cement themselves in the top six. Dave Rennie's men need only a competition point to secure top spot in the New Zealand conference.

Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna has been named at prop against the Crusaders ahead of his All Blacks teammate Ben Afeaki.

Tameifuna made a huge impact when coming on as a replacement against the Hurricanes in Hamilton at the weekend.

His scrummaging strength will be vital against an All Blacks-laden Crusaders pack keen to assert itself in Christchurch on Friday night for the match between the two top New Zealand sides.

The other changes by coach Dave Rennie see Sam Cane at flanker ahead of Tanerau Latimer, Charlie Ngatai in at centre ahead of Tim Nanai-Williams and Patrick Osborne on the right wing for Lelia Masaga. The match will be Nanai-Williams' 50th for the Chiefs.

Rennie said: "The Crusaders are a quality side. They will be desperate so we know they are going to be huge challenge down in Christchurch."

Chiefs team to play the Crusaders at AMI Stadium on Friday, kick-off 7.35pm, is: Robbie Robinson, Patrick Osborne, Charlie Ngatai, Bundee Aki, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Matt Vant Leven, Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke (c), Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Mahonri Schwalger, Ben Afeaki, Michael Fitzgerald, Tanerau Latimer, Augustine Pulu, Andrew Horrell, Tim Nanai-Williams.

Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Tom Marshall, Ryan Crotty, Tom Taylor, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Tom Donnelly, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Tyler Bleyendaal, Telusa Veainu.

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