Rugby: Blackadder names unchanged team

NZ Herald

30 Jul, 2014 11:34 PM2 mins to read

The Crusaders and Waratahs will meet for the first time this season in this final clash of the 2014 Investec Super Rugby competition. Blackadder said the fact that the two teams haven’t played each other yet this season just adds to the excitement of the occasion. “There Is an unknown element given that we haven't played the Waratahs so far this year, but that goes for both teams. We are just focussed on being as prepared as we can be to put in the best performance we're capable of,” Blackadder said.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder, has, like his Waratahs counterpart Michael Cheika, named an unchanged team for the Super Rugby final in Sydney on Saturday night.

The clash will be the first time the two sides have met this season, with Blackadder saying that added an extra layer of excitement of the occasion.

"There is an unknown element given that we haven't played the Waratahs so far this year, but that goes for both teams. We are just focused on being as prepared as we can be to put in the best performance we're capable of," Blackadder said.

"We know we have the game of our lives ahead of us but are not daunted by the challenge, we are looking forward to it. We've got a group of men who want this badly and who have the talent to do it."

The final will be played at ANZ Stadium in Sydney's Olympic Park and kick-off is at 9:40pm NZ time on Saturday night.

Crusaders team to play the Waratahs at Olympic Stadium on Saturday, kick-off 9.40pm NZT is: Israel Dagg, Kieron Fonotia, Ryan Crotty, Dan Carter, Nemani Nadolo, Colin Slade, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (c), Matt Todd, Richie McCaw, Sam Whitelock, Dominic Bird, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Nepo Laulala, Jimmy Tupou, Jordan Taufua, Willi Heinz, Tom Taylor, Johnny McNicholl.

Waratahs: Israel Folau, Alofa Alofa, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper (c), Stephen Hoiles, Jacques Potgieter, Kane Douglas, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Tola Latu, Paddy Ryan, Jeremy Tilse, Will Skelton, Mitch Chapman, Pat McCutcheon, Brendan McKibbon, Matt Carraro, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Peter Betham (two to be omitted).