Crusaders set to bring in four big guns for Lions

The Crusaders look set to be able to field a strong side featuring most of their available All Blacks for this week’s Super Rugby match against the Lions.

All Blacks Sam Whitelock, Kieran Read, Dan Carter and Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo are expected to play for the Crusaders in Saturday’s match against the Lions.

The Crusaders had a bye last week but went into the bye off a record 40-16 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton and coach Todd Blackadder wants his stars to play so that they can get back on track.

The Crusaders have played three matches so far this season and only have a 20-26 victory over the Highlanders to show for it and the pressure to perform is building.

“There’s a lot of pressure on these guys too, they haven’t played a lot of rugby and they’ve got to come into a team under pressure, but what we need is the whole team to perform,” Blackadder told Newstalk ZB.

Blackadder said that All Black star Dan Carter has returned to full fitness and is 100% over his leg injury. Carter trained fully through the bye week and Blackadder says he looks sharp.

While the Crusaders can be expected to field a strong side it won’t be at full strength as Israel Dagg will sit out another week with a quad injury.

The Crusaders can also expect a different captain as Matt Todd will be rested after demanding start to the season.