Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder today named halfback Fotuali'i and wing Guildford on the bench after the pair proved they had recovered from back and hamstring injuries, respectively.
There are two personnel changes to the starting team who thrashed the Brumbies 52-10 at Trafalgar Park in Nelson last Friday. Owen Franks comes in to start at tighthead prop, with brother Ben Franks switching to loosehead prop and Wyatt Crockett dropping to the bench, while Brad Thorn comes in for Chris Jack at lock.
With 13 points, one more than the Crusaders, the Highlanders lead the New Zealand conference and Blackadder is expecting a tough encounter.
"They have played very well this season, winning three games ... and they lost narrowly to a good team in the Stormers (6-18 at Cape Town last week). It's shaping up as a great contest in front of what should be a good crowd at Carisbrook."
The Crusaders team to play the Highlanders in a Super 15 rugby match at Carisbrook in Dunedin on Saturday has been named.
It is: Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Sonny Bill Williams, Adam Whitelock, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (captain), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Wyatt Crockett, Chris Jack, Jonathan Poff, Kahn Fotuali'i, Matt Berquist, Zac Guildford.
