Thursday Round-Up

Big Boys Back: Renowned Super Rugby outfit from New Zealand, the Crusaders, have brought back a host of star players for this weekend’s clash with Lions in Christchurch on Saturday. The South African outfit travel to AMI Stadium knowing they will face a string of players making their first appearance of the season in the famous red jersey, including none other than 2013 IRB Player of The Year, Kieran Read. One of ten changes to the side that was demolished in Hamilton two weeks back, Read, along with fellow All Black Sam Whitelock and giant wing Nemani Nadolo, are the most notable alterations to the starting XV. With Read coming back in at no.8, Richie McCaw wears the 7 jersey, with Jordan Taufua shifting to to the blindside of the scrum. Elsewhere upfront, prop forward Owen Franks also makes his return to action, after serving a two week suspension. Fijian winger Nadolo comes in on the left wing, with Dan Carter at 12 and Colin Slade wearing the 10 jersey.

Four in for Gold: Sharks head coach Gary Gold has made four changes to his starting XV for this weekend’s journey to Bloemfontein to take on fellow South African outfit the Cheetahs. All four changes in personnel have come in the pack, with England international Mouritz Botha coming into the second row to pack down alongside Springbok Pieter Steph du Toit. In the front row, Jannie Du Plessis starts in the tight head jersey having missed last week’s clash to attend the birth of his child and will line up alongside brother Bismarck and the Beast Mtawarira in a menacing front row. Elsewhere, Renaldo Bothma starts in the seven jersey, replacing Willem Alberts who has dropped out of the match day squad on account of injury.

Ryan Sheady