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Johannesburg - Regular captain Richie McCaw is still out with injury but the Crusaders have been bolstered by the return of two important players for Saturday’s Super Rugby Finals Series qualifier against the Sharks in Nelson.
The big news, the bit that Sharks players and fans probably didn’t want to hear, is the return of the massive, in terms of both ability and stature, Sonny Bill Williams at inside centre. The former league star terrorised the Sharks’ flyhalf/inside centre axis in the league match between these two sides in London in March.
On that occasion Williams repeatedly exposed holes in the Sharks’ defensive system – something other teams such as the Stormers have also done – with his strong running and his unique off-loading ability instrumental in building a big half-time lead for his team before the Sharks rallied in the second half to eventually go down 44-28.
The Sharks’ defensive system was much improved against the Bulls last week, but the Bulls are not in the same league as an attacking team as the Crusaders, who also have wing Sean Maitland back from injury. Maitland was another star performer for them before he was injured against the Stormers so the Crusaders have added considerably to their attacking potency for this game.
Scrumhalf Kahn Foluali’i is also back in the mix, coming onto the bench, also after an injury lay-off, and the Crusaders look to be heading back towards full muster at just the right time.
However apart from McCaw, who also missed the London game against the Sharks, Israel Dagg is still missing with a thigh injury, while backline Adam Whitelock is out with a chest complaint.
Dagg was hugely influential on attack for the Crusaders before he was also injured against the Stormers, but Tom Marshall has done well in his place. So those absences don’t detract too much from what looks an awesome and well balanced team, so the Sharks will be up against more than jetlag when they run onto the field at Trafalgar Park.
Williams replaces Ryan Crotty, Maitland comes in for Brent Ward and Fotuali replaces Willie Henz. In another change Wyatt Crockett replaces Ben Franks at loosehead prop.
Teams
Crusaders:
15 Tom Marshall, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Freuan, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Reid (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Substitutes: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Johanthan Poff, 20 Kahn Fotuali’I, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 Ryan Crotty/Brent Ward.
Sharks:
TBA
