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All Blacks prop duo back for Crusaders

Cape Town - Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has named his side for Saturday's Super Rugby encounter against the Brumbies in Christchurch.

Kick-off is at 06:15 (SA time).

All Blacks Joe Moody and Owen Franks both return from injury to bolster the front row, meaning Harry Allan and Michael Alaalatoa move to the bench.

At lock, Quinten Strange and Sam Whitelock will swap this week, so that Strange takes the starting spot and Whitelock is on the bench. Matt Todd will captain the side in the No 7 jersey. The only other change up front sees Ethan Blackadder earn his first Super Rugby start for 2019, at No 6.

In the backline, Mitchell Drummond is the starting scrumhalf this week and Bryn Hall provides cover on the bench, while Sevu Reece has earned promotion from the bench to start on the left wing against the Brumbies. Tim Bateman lines up at centre in what will be his 50th game for the Crusaders, while 19-year-old Leicester Faingaanuku is set to debut from the bench.

Franks will play his 150th Crusaders game this week (149th Super Rugby game).

This Saturday's match will be the Crusaders' first opportunity to unite the Christchurch community following the events of March 15.

There will be a moment's silence before the teams run out.

Teams:

Crusaders

15 David Havili, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd (captain), 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody

Substitutes: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Harry Allan, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Leicester Faingaanuku

Brumbies

15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Toni Pulu, 10 Christian Lealiifano (captain), 9 Joe Powell, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Pete Samu, 5 Murray Douglas, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Josh Mann-Rea, 1 James Slipper

Substitutes: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Vunipola Fifita, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Sam Carter, 20 Jahrome Brown, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Jordan Jackson-Hope, 23 Andy Muirhead

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