Rugby: Laulala back at centre for Crusaders

Casey Laulala has been sidelined for the last three games with a shoulder injury. Photo / Getty Images

Centre Casey Laulala, the leading Crusaders try-scorer, returns to the team for the round seven Super 14 rugby match against the Stormers at Christchurch on Saturday night.

Laulala, who scored four tries in the opening three rounds, injured his right shoulder AC joint against the Hurricanes in the third round and has been sidelined for the last three matches.

"I thought I was pretty close last week but the coaches made the call so I kept doing at training what you normally do on the field.

"It's very exciting to be back and the team's confidence is up after the win against the Waratahs," Laulala said after the Crusaders training today.

Laulala and openside flanker Nasi Manu are the only two changes to the team which downed the Waratahs, 17-13, in Sydney last Saturday, although midfielder Tim Bateman who has been playing centre in Laulala's absence, has been bracketed with Ryan Crotty at second five-eighths.

Bateman has a sore knee but according to coach Todd Blackadder "came through training pretty well" and the bracketing is more as a precaution.

Manu gets his first start for the season, replacing George Whitlock, who suffered a deep thigh wound against the Waratahs.

"Nasi played really well last week when he came on for George and has had a little bit of experience at No 7.

"He'll do the job and it gives us Jonathan Poff (specialist openside flanker) on the bench.

"Obviously losing Richie (McCaw) and George (Whitelock) is not ideal but there's not much we can do about it and the other guys have to step up," Blackadder said.

Wing Kade Poki, who has also missed the last three rounds with a sprained ankle, returns to the reserves' bench in place of wider squad training member Blair Cook.

As with the Crusaders, the Stormers boast two wins but have had the bye.

They have a host of Springboks in their team and one of the game's best midfielders in their captain Jean de Villiers.

Laulala said de Villiers was a quality player and he was aware of his uncanny ability to intercept.

"That's what's exciting about the South African teams, you never know what they are going to bring and they can really turn it on."

The Stormers have a dismal record in Christchurch, never having won there, but Blackadder said there were few weaknesses in the present side and he expected a free-flowing game.

"We're expecting them to play an expansive game. They've got good loose forwards and a really good backline.

"Maybe there will be some subtle changes against us, but they're pretty handy at what they do.

"We will expect them to attack - you're not going to come here to hold your own so we expect they will throw it around."

Crusaders
Leon MacDonald, Adam Whitelock, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman/Ryan Crotty, Colin Slade, Stephen Brett, Andy Ellis, Thomas Waldrom, Nasi Manu, Kieran Read (captain), Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Bronson Murray, Jason Macdonald, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Dan Perrin, Owen Franks, Michael Paterson, Jonathan Poff, Kahn Fotuali'i, Crotty/Hamish Gard, Kade Poki


- NZPA