Fruean dropped by Crusaders

Sydney - Robbie Fruean has been left out of the Crusaders side to face the Melbourne Rebels in Christchurch on Sunday.

Kick-off is 06:05 SA time.

According to the stuff.co.nz website, the centre, who has started all eight of the Crusaders matches this season, has been replaced by Ryan Crotty who has shuffled out one position from his usual spot at inside centre.

Crotty has been replaced by Tom Taylor at No 12, while Dan Carter, who has recovered from his hamstring strain, has been named on the bench.

Coach Todd Blackadder has made two other changes to the side that beat the Highlanders 24-8 in Christchurch last weekend.

Joe Moody starts as loosehead prop, moving Wyatt Crockett to the bench. Willi Heinz starts as scrumhalf ahead of Andy Ellis.

Fruean’s demotion is likely to be part of a strategy to freshen him ahead of the following weekend’s match against the Brumbies in Canberra.

Teams:

Crusaders:

15  Israel Dagg, 14 Tom Marshall, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock (captain), 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Joe Moody

Substitutes: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Dominic Bird, 19 Jordan Taufua, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Dan Carter, 22 Adam Whitelock

Rebels:

15 Jason Woodward, 14 Tom English, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Rory Sidey, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 James O'Connor, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Scott Higginbotham (captain), 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Jarrod Saffy, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson

Substitutes: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Paul Alo-Emile, 18 Luke Jones, 19 Gareth Delve, 20 Nic Stirzaker, 21 Angus Roberts, 22 Lachlan Mitchell