Crusaders at full strength for Super Rugby quarter-final
Codie Taylor of Crusaders breaks away for his team during the 2019 Super Rugby game between the Stormers and the Crusaders at Newlands Rugby Stadium in Cape Town on 18 May 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Crusaders are set to welcome back key members of the squad for their Super Rugby quarter-final clash against the Highlanders at Christchurch Stadium on Friday.
The All Blacks front-row will start for the first time this season, with Codie Taylor and Owen Franks returning to the run-on side. Andrew Makalio and Michael Alaalatoa move to the reserves.
In the backs, Braydon Ennor, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the Crusaders’ last regular season game against the Rebels on June 8, will take a spot on the bench this week, making way for George Bridge to return to the starting line up.
The only other changes to the match day side see Mitch Drummond and Mitch Hunt return in the reserves.
Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 5 Samuel Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor
Date: Friday, June 21
Venue: Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:35 local (08:35 BST, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)