Crusaders select All Blacks Crotty, Moody

All Blacks regulars Ryan Crotty and Joe Moody have reclaimed their run-on roles for the Crusaders' Super Rugby clash with the Hurricanes.

Crusaders vice-captain and All Blacks midfielder Ryan Crotty is back in the starting XV for Saturday's Super Rugby derby with the Hurricanes in Christchurch.

The 28-year-old Crotty, starting on the bench in last week's 62-24 throttling of the Bulls in Pretoria, has reclaimed the No.12 jersey from Tim Bateman, who moves out of the match-day squad.

Manasa Mataele covers Crotty's place on the bench.

Elsewhere, the side take on a similar shape to the one who smashed the Bulls without the injured Kieran Read or suspended Sam Whitelock.

Test loosehead Joe Moody replaces veteran Wyatt Crockett, with Codie Taylor and Owen Franks making up the remainder of the front row.

Luke Romano and Scott Barrett - also both capped by the All Blacks - sit behind them as locks, while Matt Todd will again captain the side as No.7.

Mitch Drummond has been preferred to Bryn Hall as halfback, and Richie Mo'unga will hope to continue his recent positive form as five-eighth.

Israel Dagg's ongoing knee issues keep David Havili in the No.15 jumper, with George Bridge and Seta Tamanivalu on either side of him.

The Crusaders have lost four of their past five matches against the Hurricanes, but cannot head into the match in better form.

They are unbeaten in Super Rugby this season despite plenty of injuries, and have scored more than 40 points in each of their past six matches.

CRUSADERS:

David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd (capt), Pete Samu, Scott Barrett, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.

Res: Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Alaalatoa, Quinten Strange, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Bryn Hall, Mitchell Hunt, Manasa Mataele.


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Source: AAP



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