Super Rugby
Crusaders make four changes for Queensland Reds
May 9, 2014
Hawke's Bay's Richard Buckman and Zac Guildford tackle Counties Manukau's Rey Lee-Lo, Hawke's Bay v Counties Manukau, ITM Cup, Ranfurly Shield, McLean Park, Napier, September 7, 2013
Rey Lee-Lo (centre) will start in the centres © Getty Images
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The Crusaders have named Jordan Taufua and Rey Lee-Lo among four personnel changes to their starting side to face Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday, the pair replacing Matt Todd and Kieron Fonotia respectively. Todd and Fonotia were both injured in the Crusaders' 40-20 Super Rugby win over the Brumbies last weekend, the pair leaving the field early with respective calf and hamstring problems.

Todd's unavailability means All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will be back in the No.7 jersey on Sunday. Having been named as blindside flanker against the Brumbies after two months out with a fractured thumb, McCaw played much of the match on the openside because of Todd's departure.

In other changes, Corey Flynn will start at hooker, with Ben Funnell going into the reserves, and lock Luke Romano, who came off the bench against the Brumbies after a spell out with a calf injury, returns to the run-on side.

Luke Whitelock retains the No.8 jersey with skipper Kieran Read taking another week to recover from concussion, Ryan Crotty will again captain the side in Read's absence, with McCaw his deputy.

Crusaders: Israel Dagg; Johnny McNicholl, Rey Lee-Lo, Ryan Crotty (captain), Nemani Nadolo; Colin Slade, Andy Ellis; Luke Whitelock, Richie McCaw, Jordan Taufua; Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano;, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Replacements: Ben Funnell, Tim Perry, Nepo Laulala, Jimmy Tupou, George Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Tyler Bleyendaal, Nafi Tuitavake.

Greg Growden and Russ Barwick preview Super Rugby round 13
© AAP

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