Rugby: Thorn named on bench, SBW out

Crusaders lock Brad Thorn. Photo / Getty Images

Crusaders lock Brad Thorn has been named on the bench for Saturday night's clash against the Chiefs at McLean Park in Napier.

The All Black forward returns to action after straining a calf against the Highlanders five weeks ago. He has been bracketed on the reserves bench with Joe Wheeler as the Crusaders have made five changes to their starting lineup.

Wyatt Crockett starts at loosehead prop, with Ben Franks moving to tighthead prop and Owen Franks starting on the reserves bench.

The rest of the starting forward pack is unchanged.

In the backs, Ryan Crotty moves in a spot to second-five, with Robbie Fruean, who played on the right wing against the Cheetahs last weekend, moving back to centre.

Second-five Sonny Bill Williams has been ruled out due to a bruised knee which prevented him from returning to the field for the second half of last weekend's match.

Brent Ward gets his first start since getting a call-up as injury cover last week and will play on the right wing. He came on as a substitute against the Cheetahs.

Flanker Matt Todd has been ruled out with a corked thigh. It will be the first game he has missed for the Crusaders this season.

Wider training group outside back Tu Umaga-Marshall has recovered from a shoulder injury and has been named on the reserves bench.

Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder said his side were aware of the threats that the Chiefs possessed.

He said: "They've been playing well lately and will be up for this one. It's a New Zealand derby so it will be uncompromising and physical, that's for sure."

Meanwhile the Chiefs have made a couple of changes in the pack with Sona Taumalolo coming off the bench into the loosehead prop position with Toby Smith starting from the reserves this week.

New Zealand under 20s Representative Sam Cane comes off the bench and starts for the first time this season on the openside with Taiasina Tuifua covering the loose forwards in the reserves along with Culum Retallick who comes into the side to cover the locks.

Lelia Masaga is bracketed with Tim Nanai-Williams after a knock to his leg at training and a call will be made later in the week.

The Crusaders beat the Chiefs 34-16 in their first clash of the season - round nine at Mt Maunganui on April 15.

Crusaders:
1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Corey Flynn, 3. Ben Franks, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Chris Jack, 6. George Whitelock, 7. Richie McCaw (c), 8. Kieran Read, 9. Willi Heinz, 10. Dan Carter, 11. Zac Guildford, 12. Ryan Crotty, 13. Robbie Fruean, 14. Brent Ward, 15. Tom Marshall.

Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn/Joe Wheeler, Jonathan Poff, Steve Alfeld, Matt Berquist, Tu Umaga-Marshall.

Chiefs:
1. Sona Taumalolo, 2. Hika Elliot, 3. Ben Afeaki, 4. Craig Clarke, 5. Romana Graham, 6. Liam Messam, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Fritz Lee, 9. Brendon Leonard, 10. Stephen Donald, 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu, 12. Dwayne Sweeney, 13. Richard Kahui, 14. Lelia Masaga/ Tim Nanai-Williams, 15. Mils Muliaina (Captain).

Reserves: 16. Aled de Malmanche, 17. Toby Smith, 18. Culum Retallick, 19. Taiasina Tuifua, 20. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 21. Tim Nanai-Williams/ Mike Delany, 22. Jackson Willison.

- HERALD ONLINE