Read leads Crusaders in Shark Tank

Cape Town - Kieran Read will captain the Crusaders for the first time this year when they tackle the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

No 8 Read, who along with Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Andy Ellis, was rested for last week’s match against the Kings, is one of six All Blacks named in the Crusaders starting pack.

The most notable change among the forwards is the return of the uncapped Scott Barrett, who starts at lock ahead of All Black Luke Romano.

Loosehead prop Moody and hooker Taylor swap places in the starting team with Wyatt Crockett and Ben Funnell, while Read replaces Jimmy Tupou.

Read takes over the captain's armband from Sam Whitelock, who led the 'Saders for their opening games against the Chiefs, Blues and Kings.

In all, coach Todd Blackadder has made seven changes to his starting XV.

Ryan Crotty, who returned off the bench last week following a thumb injury, will start his first game of 2016 alongside Kieron Fonotia in midfield.

To accommodate Crotty, David Havili has moved back to fullback in place Ben Volavola.

Saturday’s clash at Kings Park is scheduled for 17:15.

Teams:

Sharks

15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Tendai Mtawarira (captain) 

Substitutes: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Daniel du Preez, 21 Michael Claasens, 22 Garth April, 23 Odwa Ndungane

Crusaders

15 David Havili, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 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 Jimmy Tupou, 21 Tim Boys, 22 Mitchell Drummond, 23 Ben Volavola