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Mitchell Drummond hits 50 for Crusaders

Dunedin - Mitchell Drummond will start in place of Bryn Hall at scrumhalf against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday in what will be his 50th appearance for the Crusaders. 

Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has named an unchanged forward pack for the match, and there are just two changes in the backs from the side that took the field in Wellington last weekend. 

Drummond and Bryn Hall will rotate this week, with Hall taking a spot on the bench and Drummond to wear the number nine jersey in what will be his 50th game for the Crusaders. The only other change sees Tim Bateman step in to the starting line up at second five-eighth in place of Ryan Crotty. 

"We love these derby games against our neighbours in Dunedin. The boys have prepared well, they're really clear and looking forward to what is going to be a great battle on Saturday night," Robertson said.

Teams:

Highlanders

15 Ben Smith (captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Tei Walden, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Aki Seiuli

Substitutes: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Kalolo Tuiloma, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Matt Faddes

Crusaders

15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 George Bridge, 10 Mitchell Hunt, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Substitutes: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Chris King, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Billy Harmon, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Mike Delany, 23 Manasa Mataele

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