KEY POINTS:
Stephen Brett's injury has allowed Tim Bateman to slip into the second five-eighth role for the Crusaders against the Waratahs in their Super 14 rugby match in Christchurch on Friday night.
It will be Bateman's first start in the position since last year's home game against the Bulls and comes after Brett injured his shoulder in a tackle against the Cheetahs last weekend.
Bateman, 21, who earned three caps last season and added another against the Brumbies this season, is one of seven changes to the starting 15 from last weekend's 55-7 thumping of the Cheetahs.
Two of those are in the backline, with Tasman winger Kade Poki returning after injuring his hamstring before the Crusaders' match against the Stormers at Cape Town on February 29.
The 20-year-old replaces his 19-year-old colleague Sean Maitland, who moves to the reserves.
In-form No 8 Mose Tuiali'i, flanker Kieran Read, lock Ali Williams, prop Greg Somerville and hooker Corey Flynn return to the forwards.
They replace Nasi Manu, Michael Paterson, Wyatt Crockett and Ti'i Paulo, who have all been listed among the reserves.
With the coaches reverting back to the more traditional three backs-four forwards bench split, there is also no place for Reuben Thorne.
Coach Robbie Deans said the changes reflected current strengths but shouldn't be seen as a sign of anything less than pleasure at what the other squad members achieved last Saturday.
"It was a sign of maturity throughout the whole squad - and remember we've got some pretty young blokes in there - how professionally the guys prepared before that game, and then went out and took away the Cheetahs' belief, and really took them out of the contest before it had even got going," Deans said.
"That was really pleasing. It was a great building block for the careers of those younger players involved, while also laying down a marker for the guys who are coming back in on Friday night."
Deans acknowledged the sixth-placed Waratahs, who beat the Crusaders 24-14 in the pre-season game, would be a big step up.
"Last weekend was a good performance against the Cheetahs, but on Friday night we'll be playing a side that will offer more diversity in attack and compete with us for the full 80 minutes," he said.
"The recent history of our matches with the Waratahs shows the teams are always close. They'll know that, and they'll come over here full of belief after the start they have made to the season."
While the Crusaders have won the last four competition matches between the two sides, the largest winning margin during this period has been 10 - when the Crusaders won the 2005 Super 12 final 35-25 in Christchurch.
The Crusaders have won nine from 13 in all Super rugby contests with the Waratahs.
Crusaders
Leon MacDonald, Scott Hamilton, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman, Kade Poki, Daniel Carter, Andrew Ellis, Mose Tuiali'i, Richard McCaw (captain), Kieran Read, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks.
Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Paterson, Nasi Manu, Kahn Fotuali'i, Caleb Ralph, Sean Maitland.
- NZPA
