31 Jan 2007

Crusaders name their side for Super 14 Blues encounter

10:34 am on 31 January 2007

The All Black centre Casey Laulala will play second-five for the Crusaders, while Caleb Ralph will start at centre with the All Blacks Rico Gear and Scott Hamilton on the wings.

The former New Zealand Under-21 flanker Kieran Read is the only newcomer in coach Robbie Deans' side. which has eight players with All Black experience - five of them backs.

The team is: Brent Ward, Rico Gear, Caleb Ralph, Casey Laulala, Scott Hamilton, Stephen Brett, Andrew Ellis; Mose Tuiali'i, Johnny Leo'o, Kieran Read, Kevin O'Neill, Ross Filipo, Campbell Johnstone. Corey Flynn (captain), Ben Franks. Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Wyatt Crockett, Jake Paringatai, Peter Nixon, Kevin Senio, Tusi Pisi, Rua Tipoki.