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Dunedin - Crusaders boss Todd Blackadder has made three changes to his starting line-up for Friday's derby with the Highlanders in Dunedin.
Owen Franks starts at tighthead prop while Luke Romano will partner Sam Whitelock in the second row.
At scrumhalf, Andy Ellis returns to the starting line up in place of Mitchell Drummond who, along with Mike Alaalatoa and Scott Barrett, joins a replacements bench that will offer plenty of impact when the chance arises for them.
"There is nothing like a classic Southern Derby to bring out the best in both the Crusaders and the Highlanders," said Blackadder.
"It is always a great game with an amazing atmosphere and with both teams playing well and hungry for the win there is sure to be plenty of passion on the field this Friday."
Teams:
Highlanders
15 Ben Smith (captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Matt Faddes, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dan Pryor, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
Substitutes: 16 Greg Pleasants-Tate, 17 Craig Millar,
18 Siosiua Halanukonuka, 19 Tom Franklin, 20 Liam Squire, 21 Fumiaki
Tanaka, 22 Marty Banks 23 Teihorangi Walden
Crusaders
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 David Havili, 11 Jone Macilai, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Substitutes: 16
Ged Robinson, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Tim
Boys, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Ryan Crotty, 23 Marty McKenzie
