Donald picked ahead of Cruden for Chiefs

Aaron Cruden is on the bench for the Chiefs as Stephen Donald is preferred to start as playmaker against the Crusaders in Suva.

Two weeks after turning back the clock against Wales, former All Black Stephen Donald will start for the Chiefs in their vital Super Rugby match against the Crusaders.

Donald has been preferred over Aaron Cruden at five-eighth for Friday's game in Fiji between the two leading teams in the New Zealand conference.

All Black No.10 Cruden suffered a neck injury in the second Test win over Wales in Wellington which ruled him out of last Saturday's third Test in Dunedin.

Coach Dave Rennie has named Cruden on the bench in Suva, handing a first Super Rugby start of the season for Donald.

The 32-year-old, who played a key late role in New Zealand's 2011 World Cup win, made two bench appearances this season before unleashing a brilliant attacking display in the 40-7 thumping against Wales on June 14.

His introduction is one of three starting changes from the side that lost 45-25 to the NSW Waratahs in their last competition game on May 27.

The others are in the front row, where Hika Elliot pushes All Blacks hooker Nathan Harris to the bench and prop Kane Hames replaces the injured Mitchell Graham.


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Source: AAP


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