Super Rugby
Blackadder rings changes for Lions match
April 4, 2014
Greg Growden and Russell Barwick give you the inside word on Super Rugby round eight
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Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has made six changes to his starting line-up for Sunday's Super Rugby game against the Lions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Dominic Bird comes in at lock in a reshuffle after Luke Romano was ruled out of contention with a calf injury sustained early in the Crusaders' 29-26 loss to the Hurricanes last week.

Kieran Read is also unavailable for selection due to a head knock in the same match, so Luke Whitelock will pull on the No.8 jersey and George Whitelock comes in at No.6. Ryan Crotty steps up to the captaincy this week and also shifts from centre to second five-eighth. Two backline players will get their first starts of the season - Kieron Fonotia at centre and Nemani Nadolo on the wing.

Crusaders: Israel Dagg; Nemani Nadolo, Kieron Fonotia, Ryan Crotty (captain), Johnny McNicholl; Colin Slade, Andy Ellis; Luke Whitelock, Matt Todd, George Whitelock; Samuel Whitelock, Dominic Bird, Owen Franks; Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Corey Flynn, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Nepo Laulala, Jimmy Tupou, Jordan Taufua, Willi Heinz, Tyler Bleyendaal, Tom Taylor.

© AAP

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