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Cape Town - Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has welcomed back All Blacks Joe Moody, Israel Dagg and Jordan Taufua in to his starting XV for the clash with the Chiefs on Saturday.
Prop Moody returns, joining Codie Taylor and Michael Alaalatoa in the front row. Wyatt Crockett, in his 200th Crusaders game, will provide cover on the bench.
Scott Barrett is set to play his 50th Crusaders game on Saturday, and will line up alongside Quinten Strange at lock. Matt Todd will again resume the captaincy this week.
Taufua - who was a late withdrawal last week due to a tight calf - will line up at number eight, which means Heiden Bedwell-Curtis moves to blindside flank. Ethan Blackadder will provide cover on the bench, in place of Pete Samu.
Tim Bateman has been replaced in the midfield this week due to a hamstring injury, with Jack Goodhue to start at inside centre and Seta Tamanivalu moving in-field to outside centre. Following his successful return to club rugby last weekend, Dagg takes a spot on the right wing.
This week the Crusaders will also welcome back wing Jone Macilai, to the match day side. Macilai makes a successful return from injury and will wear the number 23 jersey.
Teams:
Chiefs
15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Charlie Ngatai (captain), 11 Sean Wainui, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Mitchell Karpik, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Michael Allardice, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe
Substitutes: 16 Liam Polwart, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Jeff Thwaites, 19 Jesse Parete, 20 Sam Cane, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Shaun Stevenson
Crusaders
15 David Havili, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Seta Tamanivalu, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Todd (captain), 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Substitutes: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Donald Brighouse, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Jone Macilai
