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Cape Town - Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has made several changes to his starting team as they prepare to face the Southern Kings in a Super Rugby clash in Christchurch on Saturday (08:35 SA time).
The Crusaders mentor has rested All Blacks captain-in-waiting Kieran Read and fellow internationals Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Andy Ellis ahead of the road trip to South Africa.
Prop Wyatt Crockett and hooker Ben Funnell will start at No 1 and 2 for the first time this season, having come off the bench in the previous two games.
Playing their first game of the season will be lock Luke Romano, loose forward Matt Todd, scrumhalf Mitchell Drummond and fullback Marty McKenzie.
David Havili steps into the inside centre position this week instead of fullback, while Kieron Fonotia shifts out to outside centre. Johnny McNicholl and Nemani Nadolo start on the wings.
Hooker Ged Robinson may earn his first Crusaders cap if he comes off the bench on Saturday, and All Black centre Ryan Crotty is also looking for his first run of 2016 after recovering from his thumb injury to take a spot among the substitutes.
Teams:
Crusaders
15 Marty McKenzie, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 David Havili, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Jimmy Tupou, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Substitutes: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Leon Fukofuka, 22 Ryan Crotty, 23 Jone Macilai
Kings
TBA
