KEY POINTS:
Crusaders coach Robbie Deans has unveiled five changes to his team to play the Brumbies in their Super 14 match at Canberra on Saturday.
All Blacks second-five-eighths Aaron Mauger and mobile lock Michael Paterson return from injury while a trio with All Blacks caps - winger Scott Hamilton, halfback Kevin Senio and prop Campbell Johnstone - have also been introduced to the starting side that beat the Hurricanes 23-13 last weekend.
Missing out in Deans' latest rotation are winger Rico Gear, second five-eighths Rua Tipoki, halfback Andrew Ellis, flanker Kieran Read and prop Wyatt Crockett.
The two forward changes also involve positional swaps. Reuben Thorne switches from lock to flanker to cater for Paterson - who has overcome a rib injury - while prop Ben Franks moves from the tighthead to loosehead side.
Crockett has "a few minor niggles", according to Crusaders assistant coach Mark Hammett and has been completely rested, with Ben May coming on to the reserve bench.
Deans said it would be a challenge for the competition leaders to extend their winning streak over the past two months to seven. Their success rate at Canberra's renowned home fortress stands at won three-lost three.
"The record says that playing the Brumbies in Canberra is one of the most difficult assignments in Super rugby, and that is certainly our experience," Deans told the Crusaders website. "They've got the better of us on the last couple of occasions we've been there. We're under no illusions as to how difficult the task will be on Saturday night."
Deans noted the planned celebrations marking the contributions that veteran playmakers Stephen Larkham and George Gregan have made to the Brumbies could potentially have an impact on the match.
"There will be a lot of emotion there, and that will surely spill over as a positive for the Brumbies, in terms of the attitude and desire that their players bring to the contest," Deans said. "It's going to be up to us to match that. If we can, it should set up a pretty good game."
- NZPA
