Super Rugby
Matt Todd looks to make most of Crusaders chance
March 7, 2014
The Crusaders' Matt Todd charges forward against the Chiefs, Chiefs v Crusaders, Super Rugby, Super Rugby semi-final, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, July 27, 2013
Matt Todd is a key player in his own right © Getty Images
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Richie McCaw's bad luck is Matt Todd's good fortune as the Crusaders seek Super Rugby redemption against the Stormers in Christchurch on Saturday night. Todd was expecting to play second fiddle at openside flanker throughout the campaign, but McCaw's broken thumb and subsequent surgery will have the All Blacks captain sidelined for up to two months.

Todd's inclusion is one of seven changes to the Crusaders' starting XV that began the 35-24 defeat by the Blues last week. The Crusaders blew a 17-3 lead and conceded 29 points without reply when they were overrun at Eden Park, and McCaw is but one of three injury-enforced changes with blindside George Whitelock and wing Nafi Tuitavake also sidelined for the match in Christchurch on Saturday.

Whitelock is replaced by younger brother Luke, while All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg starts on the left wing in place of Tuitavake. Todd Blackadder, meanwhile, dropped prop Tim Perry, lock Dominic Bird and scrum-half Andy Ellis to the bench, with wing Rob Thompson missing the squad altogether as the Crusaders seek their first points of the Super Rugby campaign after also losing to the Chiefs. Tasman centre Kieron Fonotia will make his debut if he appears from the bench.

Todd has made 53 Crusaders appearances since his debut in 2011, and he has been the regular starting No.7 when McCaw has been on All Blacks duty or on sabbatical.

"Every time you get an opportunity, it's about making the most of it," Todd said, determined to stake his Test claims while McCaw and Chiefs flanker Sam Cane are injured. "It's unfortunate for Richie he has to miss a few weeks, but I'm just looking to perform and do my best for the team."

Todd said the Crusaders saw the match against the Stormers as crucial to their season's goals after two consecutive losses.

"There's that feeling about it in the camp," he said. "We've had some honest conversations this week, and talked about what's needed to be fixed. We've corrected them at training, but it's a matter of putting them on the paddock now."

Todd said he expected the Stormers to base their attack around their big forward pack, using the rolling maul to get on the front foot. "They're a smart team and had the best defensive record for the last two seasons," he said.

The Crusaders have won 14 and drawn one of their 19 clashes with the Stormers, the South African side last winning in Cape Town in 2010.

Crusaders: Colin Slade; Johnny McNicholl, Rey Lee-Lo, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg; Tom Taylor, Willi Heinz; Kieran Read (captain), Matt Todd, Luke Whitelock; Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock; Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Replacements: Ben Funnell, Tim Perry, Nepo Laulala, Dominic Bird, Jordan Taufua, Andy Ellis, Tyler Bleyendaal, Kieron Fonotia.

© AAP

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