Crusaders: Tom Marshall, Brent Ward, Robbie Fruean, Sonny Bill Williams, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (c), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks.
Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Wyatt Crockett, Luke Romano, Jonathan Poff, Wlli Heinz, Matt Berquist, Ryan Crotty.
Blues: Jared Payne, Joe Rokocoko, Benson Stanley, Luke McAlister, Rene Ranger, Stephen Brett, Alby Mathewson, Peter Saili, Luke Braid, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu (capt), John Afoa.
Reserves: Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau, Chris Lowery, Sean Polwart, Chris Smylie, Lachie Munro, Sherwin Stowers.
A few changes for the Crusaders. McCaw has been ruled out with injury and has been replaced by Matt Todd at 7. Todd has a huge chance over the next two weeks to convince the AB's selectors that he should be McCaw's understudy for the Tri-nations and RWC (and personally I would pick him). The return of both Sam Whitelock and Andy Ellis is huge for the Crusaders. Chris Jack has done a good job in Whitelock's absense, but Whitelock is a world class operator. Andy Ellis was the form NZ halfback before injury, and adds a huge amount to the team with his ability to control the game, and his running from he base of the breakdown. Wyatt Crockett is given a rest this week, with the Franks brothers in the front row.
The Blues welcome back Mealamu this week, after he was given a rest on the bench last week. Charlie Faumuina gets a start at tighthead (with Afoa switching to loose-head prop) after making an impact from the bench last week. The backline has been rearranged once again, with Brett coming back into 10, McAlister and Stanley both moving out one position, and Payne moving to fullback. I'm not surpsried to see these changes in the backline, as McAlister didn't convince last week at 10, while Munro struggled at fullback. Though I do think Payne is far more effective at centre, the Blues could do with some experience in the 15 jersey.
It will be interesting to see how the Blues front row copes with the Crusaders front row at scum time. John Afoa will want to have a strong game, as he is competing with Ben Franks for a spot on the AB's bench (though they wont' be facing each other this week, as they are both at loosehead). Cory Flynn will want to have a strong game agaisnt the incumbant AB's hooker to push his cliams for an AB's spot. The battle between the locks should be a highlight, as the four starting locks are probably the four locks that Henry and co. will pick for the Tri-nations/RWC.
Ellis v Mathewson at halfback will be another key matchup, as they are probably battling for the third AB's halfback spot. Zac Guildford v Joe Rokocoko on the wing will be another interesting battle; neither are likely to make the AB's squad at this stage in my opinion, though could force their way in with some strong late season form (of if there are some injuries to the other contenders). I'm sure the Blues will want to get the ball to Rene Ranger as much as possible, as though Brent Ward has done a solid job for the Crusaders, he may sturggle to contain Rangers power.
Overall I'm picking the Crusaders to take it by about 10 points.
