Five changes from Crusaders

Editor

Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder has made five changes to his starting line-up that will take on the Reds in Brisbane on Sunday.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has made five changes to his starting side that will face the Reds on Sunday.

Veteran Corey Flynn is recalled at hooker so Ben Funnell takes a spot on the replacements bench.

Lock Luke Romano has come off the bench to start at number four alongside Sam Whitelock.

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw returns to his usual position of openside flank, with Matt Todd forced out of contention with a calf strain suffered against the Brumbies. That sees young Jordan Taufua move into the blindside flanker spot.

Luke Whitelock retains the number eight jersey while Kieran Read takes another week to recover from a head knock he sustained earlier in 2014.

Rey Lee-Lo is at thirteen, taking the centre spot vacated by Kieron Fonotia after re-aggravating a hamstring injury against the Brumbies.

Inside centre Ryan Crotty will again captain the side with McCaw as vice-captain.

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Ryan Crotty (c), 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 George Whitelock, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Tyler Bleyendaal, 23 Nafi Tuitavake.

Date: Sunday, May 11
Kick-off: 16:05 local (07:05 BST, 06:05 GMT)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia), Damien Mitchelmore (Australia)
Television match official: Steve Leszczynski (Australia)