Super Rugby
Slade slots in as Crusaders fullback
ESPN Staff
February 5, 2015
Greg Growden and Sam Bruce preview evaluate a tight New Zealand conference

Colin Slade looks set to deputise for Israel Dagg at fullback for the Crusaders in their season-opener against Melbourne Rebels after he was named in the custodian role for Friday night's final trial with Queensland Reds.

Dagg will sit out next week's clash at Christchurch's AMI Stadium as part of New Zealand Rugby's player management policy for Rugby World Cup 2015, a plan that will see a number of All Blacks miss two rounds of Super Rugby.

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The seven-time champions will lose little with Slade's selection at fullback however with the versatile Christchurch local equally adept in the No.15 or No.10 jerseys. Should he come through Friday night's trial at Ballymore in Brisbane Slade would be the obvious option to start against the Rebels seven days later.

In other team selection news, Dan Carter has been handed a start at No.10 after he played 40 minutes off the bench against the Hurricanes last weekend. The All Blacks veteran showed no signs of a reported calf niggle and will this week line up against Reds recruit Karmichael Hunt; the former NRL star stepping into fly-half after a run at fullback in last weekend's loss to the Rebels.

Meanwhile, stand-in Crusaders skipper Matt Todd has shaken off an ankle complaint to start at openside while Robbie Fruean, who spent last season with the Chiefs, has been named on the wing.

Crusaders team to face Reds (15-1): Colin Slade, Robbie Fruean, Kieron Fonotia, Tom Taylor, Jonny McNicholl, Dan Carter, Mitchell Drummound, Luke Whitelock, Matt Todd, Jimmy Tupou, Dominic Bird, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman. Replacements: Ben Funnell, Ged Robinson, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Scott Barrett, Tom Sanders, Billy Guyton, Nathaniel Apa, Nafi Tuitavaki, David Havili.

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