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Crusaders team to play the Force named
Head Coach Todd Blackadder has named his team to play the Force this weekend in Perth. There are four changes to the starting fifteen that played the Sharks last Friday night.
Corey Flynn returns to the Number 2 jersey moving Ben Funnell to the bench. The game will mark the 250th first class game of rugby for Flynn. A record that is shared by only 50 players in the history of New Zealand Rugby.
Dominic Bird replaces Sam Whitelock in the starting fifteen while Shane Christie earns his first appearance for the Crusaders in the number 7 jersey. Israel Dagg returns to fullback, moving Tom Marshall to the wing and Zac Guildford onto the bench.
Dan Carter has been ruled out of this weekend’s game following a hamstring strain sustained at training. He has returned to New Zealand and will undergo further medical assessment but is likely to be out of the game for a couple of weeks. .
Kick-off is at 7:40pm on Friday 13 April (11.40pm on Saturday 13th April NZ time) at NIB Stadium, Perth.
Crusaders team to play the Force:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Corey Flynn
3. Owen Franks
4. Luke Romano
5. Dominic Bird
6. George Whitelock (c)
7. Shane Christie
8. Luke Whitelock
9. Andy Ellis Reserves
10. Tyler Bleyendaal
11. Tom Marshall
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Adam Whitelock
15. Israel Dagg
16. Ben Funnell
17. Joe Moody
18. Tom Donnelly
19. Jordan Taufua
20. Willi Heinz
21. Telusa Veainu
22. Zac Guildford