Johannesburg - Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has named an unchanged team for Saturday’s Super Rugby final against the Lions at Ellis Park.
The Crusaders have been boosted by the availability of All Black duo Kieran Read and Owen Franks who were injury concerns following last weekend’s semi-final win over the Chiefs.
Despite No 8 Read limping off with a knee injury in the 27-13 win over the Chiefs in Christchurch, and tighthead prop Franks having to be replaced at half-time by Mike Alaalatoa because of an Achilles tendon complaint, the two All Blacks have been confirmed as starters as the Crusaders seek an eighth Super Rugby title.
Saturday’s clash at Ellis Park is scheduled for 16:00.
Teams:
Lions
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Kwagga Smith, 6 Jaco Kriel (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen
Substitutes: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 23 Sylvian Mahuza
Crusaders
15 David Havili, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Seta Tamanivalu, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Substitutes: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 George Bridge