Israel Dagg: Back where he belongs
Crusaders star Israel Dagg has been shifted to his preferred full-back position for Friday's Super Rugby hit-out with the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Dagg returns to the number fifteen jersey, while Johnny McNicholl - back from injury - and Tom Marshall take the wings. This sees Adam Whitelock and Tom Taylor move to the bench.
In the forward pack Dominic Bird, who had an impressive Super Rugby debut game last week against the Blues, steps in for Luke Romano who is out with a rib injury.
Tom Donnelly joins the bench as cover for second row.
The match will also see former team-mates and brothers Owen and Ben Franks come head to head for the first time.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Tom Marshall, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tom Taylor, 22 Adam Whitelock.
Date: March 8
Kick-off: 19:35 (06:35 GMT)
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)
Assistant referees: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand), Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Comments
ferdie says...
ABlack - good one, apart from the Franks, there are Beauden and Kane Barrett (Hurricanes and Blues), Whitelocks (all four Crusaders, they should be spread one per franchise), Julian and Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Peter and Francis Saili (Blues). Any more?
Australia -Silateki and Lopeti Timani (Waratahs), Will and Nigel Genia (Reds, though Nigel yet to start, maybe this weekend v Rebels). More? Any in SA sides?
Posted 00:04 07th March 2013
ABlack says...
Great to see the Franks boys go against each other. Should be good value for all concerned
Posted 18:40 06th March 2013