12 Jun 2015

A number of Crusaders re-sign

5:34 am on 12 June 2015

The Crusaders have re-signed a number of their players, including All Blacks Wyatt Crockett and Ryan Crotty and the promising Robbie Fruean.

Outside back Fruean will return in 2016, versatile midfield back Crotty has signed up until the end of 2017, while Crockett's re-signing until the end of 2018 was announced earlier this week.

Ryan Crotty of the Crusaders passing the ball against the Cheetahs.

Ryan Crotty of the Crusaders passing the ball against the Cheetahs. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Former All Black and World Cup-winning halfback Andy Ellis has again inked a one-year deal, as has his competitor at No.9, Mitchell Drummond.

Prop Tim Perry also returns next season, as will hooker Codie Taylor and young lock Scott Barrett.

Meanwhile the Crusaders have also announced that three players in this year's wider training group will be promoted to the full squad in 2016 - utility back David Havili, five-eighth/fullback Richie Mo'unga and loose forward Jed Brown.

And coach Todd Blackadder has made five starting changes in his Crusaders team for their final game of 2015 against the Brumbies on Saturday in Canberra.

Kieran Read returns at No.8 and captain, with Jordan Taufua moving to the reserves, while fellow All Black forward Sam Whitelock also comes back into the starting line-up, with Jimmy Tupou on the bench.

Ellis starts at halfback with Billy Guyton set to make his Crusaders debut off the bench, Crotty starts at centre and Jone Macilai returns to the right wing.

Another All Black, Colin Slade, has recovered from his quadriceps injury and he'll be joined by Nafi Tuitavake as backline cover.

Crusaders:

1 Wyatt Crockett

2 Codie Taylor

3 Owen Franks

4 Luke Romano

5 Sam Whitelock

6 Matt Todd

7 Richie McCaw

8 Kieran Read (c)

9 Andy Ellis

10 Dan Carter

11 Nemani Nadolo

12 David Havili

13 Ryan Crotty

14 Jone Macilai

15 Tom Taylor

Reserves:

16 Ben Funnell

17 Alex Hodgman

18 Nepo Laulala

19 Jimmy Tupou

20 Jordan Taufua

21 Billy Guyton

22 Colin Slade

23 Nafi Tuitavake