Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has made two changes to his starting line-up for Saturday's Super Rugby Aotearoa tussle with the Hurricanes in Christchurch.
Kick-off is at 09:05 (SA time).
Both changes are injury-enforced from the starting side that defeated the Blues 29-27 in Round 5.
Vice-captain David Havili has been ruled out for the season after fracturing the base of his right thumb against the Blues, meaning the competition’s leading try-scorer, Will Jordan, will start at fullback.
Jack Goodhue joins Whetu Douglas as vice-captain in Havili's absence, and is set to partner with Fetuli Paea in the midfield this week, after centre Braydon Ennor was ruled out with a toe injury.
Brett Cameron and Leicester Fainga’anuku have both joined the matchday 23 this week, and will provide cover on the replacements bench.
The Crusaders and Hurricanes are currently sitting first and third respectively on the Super Rugby Aotearoa standings table.
While the Crusaders have won the last six Super Rugby matches between the sides, it was the Hurricanes who handed the Crusaders their last loss at home in 2016.
Teams:
Crusaders
15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Fetuli Paea, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11
George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 7
Tom Christie, 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Mitchell Dunshea, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3
Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 Joe Moody
Substitutes: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 George Bower, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Sione Havili, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Leicester Fainga’anuku
Hurricanes
15 Jordie
Barrett, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben
Lam, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 TJ Perenara (captain), 8 Ardie Savea, 7
Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 James Blackwell,
3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Fraser Amstrong
Substitutes:
16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Alex Fidow, 19 Isaia
Walker-Leawere, 20 Vaea Fifita, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Vince Aso, 23 Chase
Tiatia
