The Crusaders coaches have made one change to their 22-man squad for the Rebel Sport Super 14 semi-final match against the Bulls at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
Halfback Kahn Fotuali’i comes on to the reserves bench instead of Willi Heinz in the only adjustment to the team which beat the Brumbies 40-22 at AMI Stadium last weekend.
Assistant coach Daryl Gibson said the majority of the squad were fit and raring to go, with first-five Dan Carter and prop Ben Franks carrying minor ankle niggles.
But Gibson said both would train fully on Thursday and Friday and would be fine to play the Bulls early Sunday morning New Zealand time.
He said: “We’ve had a light training workload so far this week but will step it up a little on Thursday. We will have a captain’s run at the stadium on Friday.
“We’ve heard good things about the stadium in Soweto. FIFA are using it as a training venue for the football world cup so the surface is apparently very good.”
The Crusaders team to play the Bulls at 5pm on Saturday May 22 (3am on Sunday May 23 NZ time) at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, is as follows:
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1. Owen Franks
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12. Daniel Bowden
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2. Ti’i Paulo
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13. Robbie Fruean
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3. Ben Franks
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14. Sean Maitland
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4. Brad Thorn
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15. Colin Slade
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5. Sam Whitelock
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16. Daniel Perrin
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6. George Whitelock
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17. Wyatt Crockett
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7. Richie McCaw (Capt)
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18. Chris Jack
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8. Kieran Read
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19. Thomas Waldrom
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9. Andy Ellis
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20. Kahn Fotuali’i
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10. Daniel Carter
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21. Tim Bateman
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11. Zac Guildford
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22. Jared Payne
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