Crusaders bring Read back to face Cheetahs

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has named his team to play the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein with Kieran Read returning to the starting line up.

Blackadder has largely stuck with the same 23 players that beat the Lions 7-28 in Johannesburg last week.

The only player who was not involved last week is Kieran Read, who returns to captain the side having recovered from a head knock two weeks ago. He replaces Luke Whitelock who has returned to New Zealand with a knee injury.

There are also some rotations between starting positions and the bench – Corey Flynn will start at hooker this weekend with Ben Funnell moving to the replacements.

Nepo Laulala comes into the tighthead prop position while Owen Franks takes a spot on the bench; and halfbacks Willi Heinz and Andy Ellis have swapped so that Heinz wears number 9 this week.

Crusaders

1. Wyatt Crockett,2. Corey Flynn ,3. Nepo Laulala ,4. Dominic Bird ,5. Samuel Whitelock,6. George Whitelock ,7. Matt Todd,8. Kieran Read (C) ,9. Willi Heinz ,10. Colin Slade ,11. Nemani Nadolo ,12. Ryan Crotty (VC) ,13. Kieron Fonotia,14. Johnny McNicholl ,15. Israel Dagg

Replacements :16. Ben Funnell ,17. Daniel Lienert-Brown,18. Owen Franks ,19. Jimmy Tupou ,20. Jordan Taufua,21. Andy Ellis ,22. Tyler Bleyendaal ,23. Tom Taylor