0
CRUSADERS v FORCE in Christchurch, Friday 5.35pm AEDT
CRUSADERS coach Scott Robertson has named a monster pack for Friday’s home game against the Force.
Robertson has named three All Blacks locks in his pack, with Luke Romano introduced to the starting side alongside captain Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett — at 1.98m and 116kg — switched to blindside flanker.
“Scott Barrett has been training at six for a number of weeks now, to give a bit of depth in our squad in that area,” Robertson said.
“He is a great athlete.
“It gives another lineout option.
“For him it is something he can add — maybe at a level up (All Blacks) if he needs to create an extra opportunity to be selected.”
All Black Matt Todd returns at openside flanker, Jordan Taufua starts ahead of Whetu Douglas at No 8 and Test prop Wyatt Crockett comes in for Joe Moody at loosehead.
In the backs, winger Digby Ioane returns from a finger injury in place of Manasa Mataele, veteran Tim Bateman gets the nod at No 13 for Jack Goodhue and Mitchell Drummond is the halfback ahead of Bryn Hall.
The Crusaders are 4-0 this season after engineering three dramatic comebacks from large deficits.
Of the Force, Robertson said: “They are fighting for a lot more than the points
“There is all that stuff going on over in Aussie at the moment and they want to represent their family and their people.
“We are expecting everything from them.”
CRUSADERS (15-1): David Havili, Digby Ioane, Tim Bateman, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Mitchell Hunt, Mitchell Drummond, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock (c), Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett
Reserves: Ben Funnell, Tim Perry, Michael Alaalatoa, Mitchell Dunshea, Pete Samu, Bryn Hall, Marty McKenzie, Manasa Mataele
FORCE (TBC)
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (AUS)
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/su...35e1d106f03a42