Crusaders prop Ben Franks has a stress fracture in his foot and will have surgery next week.
Franks, an All Black tourist to the United Kingdom late last year, picked up the injury in pre-season. He and the Crusaders medical staff have decided that an operation is the best option due to the increasing pain in his foot and he will be out of action for at least six weeks.
Bronson Murray comes into the starting line-up for Franks, with Owen Franks, Ben’s brother, coming on to the reserves bench.
Halfback Andy Ellis got a bang on the ribs against the Highlanders and failed to come through training today, so Kahn Fotuali’i will start, with Tyson Keats coming on to the bench.
The good news for the Crusaders is that fullback Leon MacDonald comes back into the starting line-up. MacDonald hasn’t played since leaving the field with a shoulder injury in the Crusaders round one victory over the Chiefs at AMI Stadium.
In other changes, Stephen Brett comes into first-five after playing at fullback in MacDonald’s absence. Colin Slade, who has played at 10 in all four rounds so far, moves to the left wing.
Blair Cook, who played on the left wing against the Highlanders last weekend, moves to the bench.
Adam Whitelock moves from centre to the right wing, replacing Jared Payne (ankle sprain), with Ryan Crotty coming into second-five and Tim Bateman moving one out to centre.
Lock Isaac Ross comes in for Ross Filipo, who moves to the bench.
With George Whitelock replacing Richie McCaw (knee) at openside flanker, Nasi Manu comes on to the bench as loose forward cover.
Head coach Todd Blackadder said it was great to have MacDonald back at fullback.
“Leon brings with him a huge amount of experience and ability. It’s really great to have him back,” Blackadder said.
“He is very good at organising players around him and he will play an important leadership role for us.”
Blackadder also said he has every confidence in Crotty at second-five. Crotty, 20, has represented New Zealand at under-19 and under-20 level. It will be his first start for the Crusaders after impressing when coming off the bench against the Hurricanes and Highlanders.
“Ryan showed a lot of spark when coming on in both games and we’re sure he’ll go well,” Blackadder said.
Blackadder said of selecting Slade on the wing: “Colin is one of the fastest players in the squad; he’s got a very good kicking game and is a great defender, so he will go well there. He’s also played fullback before, so he knows about covering and supporting at the back.”
He added: “The Force play an exciting game. They use width well and have a very good first-five in Matt Giteau so it should be a fast, open match.”
Crusaders injuries:
Corey Flynn – broken left arm (out for season)
Richie McCaw – strained medial ligament in knee (five-six weeks)
Casey Laulala – shoulder injury (two-three weeks)
Jared Payne – sprained ankle (four-six weeks)
Kade Poki – sprained ankle (week to week)
Sean Maitland – sprained hamstring (week to week)
Andy Ellis – sore ribs (week to week)
Ben Franks – stress fracture in foot (six weeks)
he Crusaders team to play the Western Force at 5.30pm on Saturday, March 14 at AMI Stadium, Christchurch, is as follows:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Jason Macdonald
3. Bronson Murray
4. Brad Thorn
5. Isaac Ross
6. Kieran Read (Capt)
7. George Whitelock
8. Thomas Waldrom
9. Kahn Fotuali’i
10. Stephen Brett
11. Colin Slade
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Tim Bateman
14. Adam Whitelock
15. Leon MacDonald
16. Daniel Perrin
17. Owen Franks
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Tim Bateman
14. Adam Whitelock
15. Leon MacDonald
16. Daniel Perrin
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