Super Rugby: Chiefs and Crusaders make two changes for Friday's game
Chiefs and Crusaders both make two changes for their clash at the Waikato Stadium on Friday.
Last Updated: 24/05/13 10:53am
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie brings in Ben Tameifuna at prop for Ben Afeaki, who is out this week with a calf strain, while Patrick Osborne starts on the wing.
There are three changes to the bench, with Toby Smith, Sam Cane and Lelia Masaga moving into the reserves.
Bay of Plenty midfielder and former Highlander Kenny Lynn has been bought into the squad as midfield cover.
The Chiefs are without Richard Kahui (shoulder) and Andrew Horrell due to ankle problems while utility backs Tim Nanai-Williams (groin) and Gareth Anscombe (fractured foot) won't be fit until after the break for the June Tests.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has recalled full-back Israel Dagg into his starting XV resulting in a rejig of the backline.
Tom Taylor moves to inside centre while Ryan Crotty shifts to 13 replacing Robbie Fruean, who drops to the bench.
There is one change to the pack with hooker Codie Taylor taking over from Ben Funnell, who is bracketed with Laurence Corlett on the bench in the absence of Corey Flynn, who tweaked a hamstring in the warm-up for the Blues game last week.
Funnell is carrying a knee injury, prompting Blackadder to call in 33-year-old Corlett from Taranaki.
Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Patrick Osborne, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Matt Vant Leven, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (c), 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Toby Smith, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Dan Waenga, 22 Lelia Masaga.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Tom Marshall, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell/Laurence Corlett, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Dominic Bird, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Robbie Fruean, 22 Telusa Veianu.