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Four Changes for Crusaders
April 3, 2007
There are four changes in the Crusaders starting XV to tackle the Western Force on Saturday night, from that which ran out during last weekend’s 34-33 win over the NSW Waratahs in Sydney.
Winger Caleb Ralph, first-five-eighths Daniel Carter and halfback Andrew Ellis all return to the back division, in the places of Scott Hamilton, Stephen Brett and Kevin Senio respectively, while Michael Paterson is promoted from the bench to the second row for the injured Chris Jack.
Hamilton, Brett and Senio have all been included among the run on reserves, while Jack is expected to be sidelined for possibly up to six weeks, after suffering from a strained hamstring tendon during the win at Aussie Stadium.
“While we’ve had to make a few changes, we’ve still been able to enjoy a fair bit of continuity, with all but Dan Carter having been involved in the match day 22 last week,” Crusaders coach Robbie Deans says.
“And he was involved in most of the preparation for that match anyway, until we had to pull him out through injury, so we are benefiting from a bit of consistency in terms of having the core of the group involved.
“What the changes simply illustrate is the competition we have for places each week, and that’s not a bad situation to be in.”
This is best highlighted by the situation immediately behind the scrum, where halfbacks Ellis and Senio have been rotated in the position over each of the last four weeks.
“The competition is definitely bringing out the best in both of them and that’s a very good thing for the team as a whole,” Deans notes.
Carter, who was a late withdrawal from the trip to Sydney after his injured neck failed to recover in time, has been involved in training this week and is fit to resume.
That pushes his understudy, Brett, back to the run on reserves after another accomplished performance at Aussie Stadium.
Brett is part of a three-back, four-forward bench, with the Crusaders reverting to a more traditional split among the substitutes after having operated with just two additional backline options during the last two matches.
“We look at the mix each week, in terms of how we best cover all of possible eventualities, but with the returning guys having had a couple of matches now, we feel we can afford the additional back cover,” Deans says.
The Western Force, who have been based in Christchurch since the weekend, are the best performed of the Australian contingent this year, arriving in New Zealand on the back of three consecutive wins, including last Friday night’s gritty 22-12 win over the Sharks.
John Mitchell’s team also bring strong road form with them, having won both of their matches in South Africa earlier in the competition, while also drawing with the NSW Waratahs in Sydney.
“They’ve done exceedingly well, and have grown in confidence with every week that the competition has progressed,” Deans says.
“Mitch recruited astutely in the off-season and has got his team playing accurately and with purpose. They will be a major challenge.”
The two teams drew at their only previous Super 14 meeting, 23-23 at Subiaco Oval in Perth last year.
The Crusaders side to play the Western Force in Saturday night’s Rebel Sport Super 14 match at Jade Stadium in Christchurch is:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Corey Flynn
3. Campbell Johnstone
4. Ross Filipo
5. Michael Paterson
6. Reuben Thorne
7. Richard McCaw (captain)
8. Mose Tuiali’i
9. Andrew Ellis
10. Daniel Carter
11. Caleb Ralph
12. Aaron Mauger
13. Casey Laulala
14. Rico Gear
15. Leon MacDonald
Run on reserves
16. Ti’i Paulo
17. Ben Franks
18. Kieran Read
19. Johnny Leo’o
20. Kevin Senio
21. Stephen Brett
22. Scott Hamilton
Brother Gallagher I hear you 
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Originally Posted by Iris
