4 Jul 2013

Crusaders bring back big guns for Chiefs clash

6:09 am on 4 July 2013

The big guns are back for the Crusaders' crunch Super Rugby match against the Chiefs in Christchurch on Friday.

The All Blacks forwards Wyatt Crockett, Luke Romano and the captain, Kieran Read all return to the starting line-up after coming off the bench in last week's win over the Highlanders.

The prop Owen Franks also returns from an elbow infection, while the hooker Corey Flynn also returns to the starting line-up.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has made four changes to his starting line-up.

The prop, Ben Tameifuna, will start with Ben Afeaki moving to the bench, while the All Blacks flanker, Sam Cane, replaces Tanerau Latimer at openside.

Charlie Ngatai will start at centre in place of Tim Nanai-Williams and Patrick Osborne starts on the right wing.

Crusaders: 1-Wyatt Crocket, 2-Corey Flynn, 3-Owen Franks, 4-Luke Romano, 5-Sam Whitelock, 6-George Whitelock, 7-Matt Todd, 8-Kieran Read; 9-Andy Ellis, 10-Dan Carter, 11-Zac Guildford, 12-Tom Taylor, 13-Ryan Crotty, 14-Tom Marshall, 15-Israel Dagg

Reserves: Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Tom Donnelly, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Tyler Bleyendaal, Telusa Veainu

Chiefs: 1-Pauliasi Manu, 2-Hika Elliot, 3-Ben Tameifuna, 4-Craig Clarke (c), 5-Brodie Retallick, 6-Liam Messam, 7-Sam Cane, 8-Matt Vant Leven, 9-Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 10-Aaron Cruden, 11-Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 12-Bundee Aki, 13-Charlie Ngatai, 14-Patrick Osborne, 15-Robbie Robinson

Reserves: Mahonri Schwalger, Ben Afeaki, Michael Fitzgerald, Tanerau Latimer, Augustine Pulu, Andrew Horrell, Tim Nanai-Williams