Crusaders drop in-form star to the bench for Blues clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has made few changes to his side for their top-of-the-table encounter against the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday.

Ethan Blackadder sustained a knee injury at training last week and is still unavailable this week. His replacements, Sione Havili and Tom Sanders, will rotate this week, with Sanders to start and Havili named on the bench. The rest of the forward pack is unchanged.

In the backs, Bryn Hall and Mitch Drummond provide a dynamic combination at scrumhalf, with Hall to start and Drummond named in the reserves. There is also a reshuffle in the outside backs, with Leicester Faingaanuku replaced by George Bridge on the left wing, and Sevu Reece earning a start on the right wing.

Surprisingly, the in-form Will Jordan has been dropped to the bench.

Heading into the bye next week, the Crusaders have an opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the standings table in Super Rugby Aotearoa, while a Blues win on Saturday would see them overtake the home side at the halfway point in the competition.

Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 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.

Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 George Bower, 18 Oli Jager, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Sione Havili, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Fetuli Paea, 23 Will Jordan.

Date: Saturday, July 11

Venue: Addington Showgrounds, Christchurch

Kick-off: 19.05 (07.05 GMT)

Referee: Paul Williams

Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe, James Doleman

TMO: Mike Fraser