Rugby: Fotuali'i back for Crusaders

Halfback Kahn Fotuali'i returns to the Crusaders bench for the semifinal against the Bulls in Soweto. Photo / Getty Images

The Crusaders have made one change to their 22-man squad for their rugby Super 14 semifinal against the Bulls at Orlando Stadium in Soweto early on Sunday (NZT).

Halfback Kahn Fotuali'i returns to the reserves bench in place of Willi Heinz, the only adjustment to the team which beat the Brumbies 40-22 in Christchurch last weekend.

The in-form Fotuali'i had been dropped for breaching recovery protocol dictated by the team after their 35-40 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria two weeks ago.

Assistant coach Daryl Gibson said the majority of the squad were fit and raring to go, with first-five Dan Carter and prop Ben Franks carrying minor ankle niggles.

But Gibson said both would train fully on Thursday and Friday, and would be fine to play the Bulls.

"We've had a light training workload so far this week but will step it up a little on Thursday. We'll have a captain's run at the stadium on Friday," Gibson said.

"We've heard good things about the stadium in Soweto. FIFA are using it as a training venue for the football world cup so the surface is apparently very good."

Crusaders
Owen Franks, Ti'i Paulo, Ben Franks, Brad Thorn, Sam Whitelock, George Whitelock, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read, Andy Ellis, Daniel Carter, Zac Guildford, Daniel Bowden, Robbie Fruean, Sean Maitland, Colin Slade.

Reserves: Daniel Perrin, Wyatt Crockett, Chris Jack, Thomas Waldrom, Kahn Fotuali'i, Tim Bateman, Jared Payne.

Bulls
Zane Kirchner, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Jaco Pretorius, Wynand Olivier, Francois Hougaard, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Gurthro Steenkamp, Gary Botha, Werner Kruger, Danie Rossouw, Victor Matfield (captain), Deon Stegmann, Dewald Potgieter, Pierre Spies.

Reserves: Bandise Maku, Bees Roux, Flip van der Merwe, Derick Kuun, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Stephan Dippenaar, Pedrie Wannenburg.

- NZPA