Crusaders switch four to face Lions

Editor

Head coach Todd Blackadder has made four changes for the Crusaders to face the Lions from the side that beat the Sharks last weekend.

Prop Wyatt Crockett wears the number one jersey this week, rotating with Joe Moody who will take a spot on the bench.

Luke Romano and Scott Barrett are the starting locks, with Sam Whitelock in the reserves.

Jimmy Tupou and Jordan Taufua have also rotated, with Tupou starting at six this week and Taufua preparing to make an impact off the bench. 

The starting backline is unchanged from last week, but Sean Wainui joins the reserves to make a 5/3 forwards/backs split on the bench.

Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jimmy Tupou, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Sean Wainui

Date: Friday, April 1
Venue: Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 19:00 local (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Stuart Berry
Assistant Referees: Craig Joubert, AJ Jacobs
TMO: Johan Greeff