The Canterbury Crusaders have gone for speed and the Northern Bulls for height as they finalised their squads on Thursday for this week’s Super 14 rugby semifinal in Christchurch.
Crusaders coach Robbie Deans has brought back last year’s leading try scorer Rico Gear on the wing, halfback Andrew Ellis and hooker Corey Flynn in the three changes to the starting 15 that beat the Brumbies last week.
The only change to the Bulls side which thumped the Stormers 43-10 to scrape into the semifinals sees the return of powerful lock Bakkies Botha.
Although the Crusaders beat the Bulls 35-17 in Pretoria two weeks ago, the Bulls won the lineouts and fancy their chances again on Saturday with Botha and Victor Matfield.
The Crusaders have sacrificed the opportunity of adding height to their pack by keeping the mobile Reuben Thorne at lock with Chris Jack.
Skipper Richie McCaw turns to his regular openside flanker role with Johnny Leo’o reverting to number six in another sign the Crusaders intend to try and run the big Bulls pack ragged.
The match is a milestone for Crusaders stalwart prop Greg Somerville, who becomes the sixth New Zealand player to play 100 matches in the competition. – Sapa-AFP