The Crusaders will not take the Sunwolves lightly tomorrow when the two teams meet in round eight of the Super Rugby.
The Crusaders are set to be boosted by the return of All Black’s Captain Kieran Read and two Fiji born players.
Read will make his first appearance of the 2017 season, having recovered from wrist surgery to take the Number 8 spot, a boost for a table topping team who will be hoping to significantly lift their points differential against the Japanese based side.
First five Richie Mo’unga also returns for the first time since Round One when he fractured a bone in his hand.
Regardless, the Crusaders game will be a memorable one not only for Read, the All Blacks captain and No.8 returning from a wrist injury for his first match of the year, but also for Wyatt Crockett, who will make a record 176th Super Rugby appearance, and wings Seta Tamanivalu and Manasa Mataele, an uncle and nephew partnership which is surely unique for the competition.
The Crusaders return from a bye week looking to make it seven wins out of seven in Super Rugby this season.
The Crusaders will take on the Sunwolves at 7.35pm Friday.
BNZ Crusaders team to play the Sunwolves:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Ben Funnell
3. Michael Alaalatoa
4. Luke Romano
5. Sam Whitelock (C)
6. Pete Samu
7. Matt Todd (VC)
8. Kieran Read
9. Mitchell Drummond
10.Richie Mo'unga
11. Manasa Mataele
12. Tim Bateman
13. Jack Goodhue
14. Seta Tamanivalu
15. David Havili
RESERVES
16. Andrew Makalio
17. Joe Moody
18. Oliver Jager
19. Quinten Strange
20. Whetu Douglas
21. Leon Fukofuka
22. Marty McKenzie
23. George Bridge
Source: crusaders.co.nz
