Saders change five for Reds

The Crusaders have made five changes for their match against the Reds in Brisbane on Sunday.

Richie McCaw returns to his usual position of openside flank, with Matt Todd forced out of contention with a calf strain suffered against the Brumbies. That sees young Jordan Taufua move to blindside flank.

Veteran Corey Flynn is recalled at hooker so Ben Funnell moves to the bench, while Luke Romano has come off the bench to start at No 4 lock alongside Sam Whitelock.

Luke Whitelock retains the No 8 jersey while Kieran Read takes another week to recover from a head knock he sustained earlier in 2014.

Rey Lee-Lo is at No 13, taking the spot vacated by Kieron Fonotia after aggravating a hamstring injury against the Brumbies.

Meanwhile, Reds loose forward Curtis Browning will make his starting debut on Sunday in one of six changes to the starting line-up. Browning, a former Australian U20 captain, has already played five games for the Reds, but never in the starting XV. He will start at blindside flanker, in place of injured loose forward Eddie Quirk.

Also in the forwards, Ben Daley earns his third start of the season, replacing suspended prop James Slipper at loosehead. James Hanson will start ahead of Saia Fainga'a at hooker and Beau Robinson returns to openside for Liam Gill.

There are two changes to the backline that faced the Blues in Auckland last weekend. Dom Shipperley replaces injured Chris Feauai-Sautia on the wing (his first match since injuring his hip flexor against the Stormers in round seven) and Jamie-Jerry Taulagi returns on the left wing, with Rod Davies moved to the bench.

Crusaders – 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Ryan Crotty (c), 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Subs: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 George Whitelock, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Tyler Bleyendaal, 23 Nafi Tuitavake.

Reds – 15 Mike Harris, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Anthony Fainga'a, 11 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Curtis Browning, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 James Hanson, 1 Ben Daley.
Subs: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Albert Anae, 18 Jono Owen, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Dave McDuling, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Ben Lucas, 23 Rod Davies.

Super Rugby teams (Round 13)

Photo: Martin Hunter/Getty Images

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