Danger signs from the Reds

Crusaders coach Robbie Deans is ready for a strong challenge from a wounded and strengthened Reds team in Nelson today.

The Reds, well-beaten by the Hurricanes in week one, were unlucky against an out-of-sorts Blues at Eden Park last week.

"They've deserved more than they've got out of what they've done to date so we always respect them - they're a dangerous team, particularly with [fullback] Chris Latham back.

"Add to that the fact they're probably going to be prepared to give things a go and it's a dangerous mix."

Deans has made two changes to his starting lineup from that which thumped the Chiefs 50-18.

Leon MacDonald replaces Scott Hamilton at fullback to finally return to Super 12 action after a year in Japan. No 8 Mose Tuiali'i also gets the nod ahead of the injured Sam Broomhall.

Rookie lock Kevin O'Neill has been forced to find his Super 12 feet much more quickly since the first-round injury to Ross Filipo and Deans has now entrusted the 23-year-old 2.01m student with his second successive starting role alongside All Black Chris Jack for the third round clash.

The Reds have been hit by the withdrawal of 1.98m lock Rudi Vedelago who has picked up a virus. So Hugh McMeniman regains his place, having been dropped to the bench.

"He [Vedelago] didn't train with us on Tuesday and was quite sick on Wednesday. We were hoping he would recover but he didn't come good," Miller said.

It has not been an easy week for the winless Reds, who have also lost No 8 John Roe to injury.

Latham is back from playing in the tsunami match at Twickenham, when he scored two tries.

'They're a class side," he said of the Crusaders. "I don't think there's any better team in the Super 12 at the moment and, you know, they're a team that has been playing their style of rugby for a long time.

"They've got key players in key positions who've been involved in the whole process for a long time."

Latham was confident that the Reds forwards had the capacity to match an All Black-laden Crusaders pack.

Meanwhile, the Reds' Wallaby lock Nathan Sharpe has rejected a meeting with new Perth Super 14 coach John Mitchell.

Sharpe is tipped as one of former All Black coach Mitchell's targets for the Perth franchise next year. He is off contract at the end of this season.

Miller received an email from Mitchell this week requesting a face-to-face meeting with Sharpe.

"The Reds are trying to win games so the team doesn't need that [distraction].

"We have to be spot on to give this [match] a real go," said Sharpe, who has played 28 tests for the Wallabies.

Nelson, today 2.35pm

CRUSADERS
Leon MacDonald
Rico Gear
Casey Laulala
Aaron Mauger
Caleb Ralph
Dan Carter
Justin Marshall
Mose Tuiali'i
Richie McCaw (c)
Reuben Thorne
Kevin O'Neill
Chris Jack
Greg Somerville
Corey Flynn
Dave Hewett
Reserves: Tone Kopelani, Greg Feek, Craig Clarke, Sam Harding, Jamie Nutbrown, Andrew Mehrtens, Scott Hamilton

REDS
Chris Latham
Wendell Sailor
Junior Pelesasa
Steve Kefu
Peter Hynes
Elton Flatley (c)
Josh Valentine
Tom McVerry
David Croft
Daniel Heenan
Nathan Sharpe
H. McMeniman
Anthony Mathison
Stephen Moore
Nick Stiles
Reserves: Sean Hardman, Greg Holmes, Mitchell Chapman, Luke Doherty, Nic Berry, Julian Huxley, Drew Mitchell

- NZPA