The young second rower, who made his first appearance off the bench against the Highlanders on April 1, has been thrust into the limelight alongside captain Scott Barrett once Quinten Strange suffered a calf injury in last Saturday’s win over the Hurricanes.
Gallagher is also the beneficiary of Mitchell Dunshea’s season-ending knee injury, while Sam Whitelock was not brought back early from a broken finger for the clash at Orangetheory Stadium, meaning the veteran should return during the four-match tour of Australia.
Ironically, the Blues will feature former Crusaders lock Luke Romano, an ultra-experienced option, as the Auckland-based franchise seek their first win in Christchurch since 2004.
The Crusaders have also won their last 14 clashes with the Blues stretching back eight years but their form has fluctuated during this campaign, although they have only suffered one defeat.
In other changes from the line-up that won 24-21 in the capital, Leicester Fainga’anuku is promoted from the bench to a wing slot for George Bridge while Pablo Matera is named on the bench after being a late withdrawal last weekend.
Promising tighthead prop Fletcher Newell has been bracketed with Oli Jager, indicating their might be another late alteration to the Crusaders pack.
The match kicks off at 7.05pm.
- Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Bryn Hall, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Zach Gallagher, Scott Barrett (capt), Fletcher Newell/Oli Jager, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Ricky Jackson, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Dominic Gardiner, Pablo Matera, Mitchell Drummond. Fergus Burke, George Bridge.
