Read reaches Crusaders century

Editor

Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder has made one change to his team to take on the Hurricanes at AMI Stadium on Friday.

Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder has made one change to his team to take on the Hurricanes at AMI Stadium on Friday.

With Tim Perry nursing a hamstring strain, loosehead prop Daniel Lienert-Brown has been called into the squad to provide cover from the bench.

Lienert-Brown has been in the Crusaders Knights development team and was called into the NZ U20s squad last year as injury cover.

Crusaders captain Kieran Read will lead the team out on Friday night for his 100th Crusaders game.

Debuting in 2007, Read has played his entire Super Rugby career with the Crusaders. Despite the numerous provincial, national and international awards that Read has won, he says earning 100 caps for the Crusaders still counts as one of his proudest rugby moments.

“This is my team. I have been playing for the Crusaders virtually since my professional rugby career began and I feel very proud to have represented this team for 100 games,” said Read.

“When you look at the other players who have achieved 100 games for the Crusaders, you realise what an honour it is.

“Being selected for an award is one thing, but being selected for the Crusaders team 100 times is a real reflection of the hard work I've put in over the years and something I can feel truly proud of.”

Spectators at AMI Stadium on Friday night will be able to join in celebrating Read's 100th Crusaders game with a presentation to take place following the game.

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Nafi Tuitavake, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Luke Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Dominic Bird, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Kieran Fonotia, 23 Nemani Nadolo

Date: Friday, March 28
Venue: AMI Stadium
Kickoff: 19:35 (local, 06:35 GMT)
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Chris Watt (New Zealand)