Rugby: SBW, Maitland return for Crusaders

Sean Maitland. Photo / Getty Images

Key Crusaders backline players Sonny Bill Williams and Sean Maitland have recovered from injury and have been named in the starting line-up for their Super rugby semifinals qualifier against the Sharks in Nelson on Saturday.

Also returning to action is Kahn Fotuali'i who suffered a knee injury in the match against the Stormers in Cape Town on May 7 with the halfback named to start from the bench. Maitland has also been out of action since suffering a foot sprain in the same match.

Williams is back at second-five after missing last week's victory over the Hurricanes due to a hip injury.

Williams replaces Ryan Crotty, Maitland comes in for Brent Ward, and Fotuali'i replaces Willi Heinz.

In another change to the starting line-up from last week's match against the Hurricanes, Wyatt Crockett replaces Ben Franks at loosehead prop.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said: "It's great to be able to welcome back Sonny, Sean and Kahn.

"They've all been working extremely hard on their rehab to be fit for this match and they will get their reward on Saturday night.

"It's an exciting prospect. It's great to be going back to Nelson where we've enjoyed great hospitality this season and the challenge in front of us is clear-cut. We have to win to progress in this competition."

This match at Trafalgar Park is a sudden-death playoff, with the winners travelling to Cape Town to play the Stormers for a place in the final.

The Stormers qualified for the semifinals by finishing second overall in the standings which the Queensland Reds topped.

This is the second time the Crusaders and Sharks have played each other this season. The first was in the historic match at Twickenham in London in March which the Crusaders won 44-28.

Not considered due to injury were Richie McCaw (foot), Israel Dagg (thigh) and Adam Whitelock (chest muscle).

Crusaders:
Tom Marshall, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Sonny Bill Williams, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (captain) Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett.

Replacement: Quentin MacDonald, Ben Franks, Luke Romano, Jonathan Poff, Kahn Fotuali'i, Matt Berquist, Ryan Crotty/Brent Ward.

- NZPA