Leo'o fills McCaw's spot in Crusaders team

Johnny Leo'o has been named ahead of Sam Harding to fill Richie McCaw's place in the Crusaders team for Sunday morning's (NZT) Super 12 rugby match against the Stormers.

Leo'o comes into the team for the first time this season. He hasn't been on the reserves bench either for any of their previous games but has played three club games following a foot injury.

Coach Robbie Deans has no concerns with Leo'o's fitness and believes the 1.85m and 100kg flanker is a better attacking option than Harding, who replaced McCaw against the Bulls last week.

McCaw was stretchered out of that match after a head-clash in the third minute of the game and is expected to be out of action with concussion for another three weeks.

Harding remains on the bench.

Back in the team is centre Casey Laulala, who was rested last week.

"I'm over the niggles and I'm looking forward to meeting those two powerful players (Marius Joubert and De Wet Barry) in the Stormers midfield," he said.

Laulala's return means Rico Gear switches back to right wing from centre.

In the only other change to the starting side that went down to the Bulls last week, Dave Hewett is back at loosehead prop for Greg Feek.

Lock Norm Maxwell has a finger injury and is in some doubt for the game. Blindside flanker Reuben Thorne will captain the side, as he did in the absence of McCaw.

Stormers coach Gert Smal has underlined the importance of Schalk Burger to his team by giving the Springboks loose forward until the day before the game to prove his fitness.

Burger has been bracketed at No 8 with Pietie Ferreira, the former Western Province captain who was called in as a back-up.

Burger has been struggling with what Smal described as a calf ligament injury.

His switch to No 8 is one of several changes to the pack that beat the Reds last week.

Andries Bekker has been recalled to the team to partner Rob Linde at lock.

Barry will play his 50th game for the Stormers and will captain the team because Bolla Conradie has been selected ahead of regular captain Neil de Kock at halfback.

Teams:

Stomers: Gaffie du Toit, Breyton Paulse, Marius Joubert, De Wet Barry, Jean de Villiers, Chris Rossouw, Bolla Conradie, Schalk Burger/Pietie Ferreira, Gerrie Britz, Luke Watson, Andries Bekker, Rob Linde, Faan Rautenbach, Pieter Dixon, Eddie Andrews. Reserves: Lukas van Biljon, Riaan Olckers, Ross Skeate, David Hendriks, Neil de Kock, Gus Theron, Tonderai Chavhanaga.

Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Casey Laulala, Aaron Mauger, Caleb Ralph, Daniel Carter, Justin Marshall, Mose Tuiali'i, Johnny Leo'o, Reuben Thorne (captain), Norm Maxwell, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville, Tone Kopelani, Dave Hewett. Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Campbell Johnstone, Sam Broomhall, Sam Harding, Jamie Nutbrown, Andrew Mehrtens, Scott Hamilton.

- NZPA