Rugby: Cruden named on bench for Chiefs

Aaron Cruden of the Chiefs runs in for a try. Photo: Getty Images
Aaron Cruden of the Chiefs runs in for a try. Photo: Getty Images

Aaron Cruden's return to rugby is set to be from the bench.

Cruden, who suffered a neck injury during the second test against Wales, has been named amongst the reserves to face the Crusaders in Suva on Friday.

The All Blacks first-five is backing up Stephen Donald, who has been rewarded for his excellent mid-week performance for the Chiefs against the Welsh.

Cruden is joined on the bench by two other returning All Blacks, with Nathan Harris and Tawera Kerr-Barlow backing up Hika Elliot and Brad Weber respectively.

Sam Cane and Brodie Retallick slot straight back into the forward pack despite starting all three tests against Wales, while Seta Taminvalu and Damian McKenzie return to the backline.

A Cruden cameo could be crucial to the contest, with the Crusaders holding a three-point lead over the Chiefs at the top of the New Zealand conference.

Chiefs: Kane Hames, Hika Elliot, Hiroshi Yamashita, Dominic Bird, Brodie Retallick, Taleni Seu, Sam Cane, Tom Sanders, Brad Weber, Stephen Donald, James Lowe, Anton Lienert-Brown, Seta Tamanivalu, Toni Pulu, Damian McKenzie.

Reserves: Nathan Harris, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Atu Moli, Mitchell Brown, Lachlan Boshier, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Cruden, Sam McNicol

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