Slade chosen at five-eighth for Crusaders

Slade chosen at five-eighth for Crusaders

• Colin Slade in action for the Crusaders. - Source: Photosport

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has given Colin Slade the job of trying to ignite the Crusaders backline from five-eighth for their Super Rugby clash against the Rebels.

Slade will be the third different playmaker used by the Crusaders this season, with Tom Taylor shifting out to second five for Friday's game.

Rey Lee-Lo has been dropped from the 23 altogether, meaning Ryan Crotty shifts to centre, while All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg is reinstated at No. 15, with new recruit Nemani Nadolo in line to make his debut off the bench.

There is just one change to the forwards with Ben Funnell starting at hooker this week instead of Corey Flynn, who is unavailable after suffering a fractured eye socket in last weekend's win over the Stormers.

Codie Taylor enters the playing 23 for the first time this season to provide cover off the bench.
 
Nafi Tuitavake is the only player in the starting 15 who was not involved last week. He has recovered from a hamstring strain to take the right wing and Johnny McNicholl will take the left wing.
 
Andy Ellis takes the starting halfback spot again and, with Willi Heinz recovering from a calf injury, Mitchell Drummond has an opportunity to make his Crusaders debut if he comes off the bench. 

Kick-off is at 9.40pm (NZT) on Friday night.

Crusaders:1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Ben Funnell, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Luke Whitelock, 7. Matt Todd, 8. Kieran Read (c), 9. Andy Ellis, 10. Colin Slade, 11. Johnny McNicholl, 12. Tom Taylor, 13. Ryan Crotty (vc), 14. Nafi Tuitavake, 15. Israel Dagg.

Reserves: 16. Codie Taylor, 17. Tim Perry, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Dominic Bird, 20. Jordan Taufua, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Kieron Fonotia, 23. Nemani Nadolo.

good to see slackbladder improving with his selections, dagg needs to play fullback when ever hes in the starting XV.

am looking forward to nadolo hitting the field, crusaders were due some good news with all their injuries and the giant fijian center/winger should have a huge impact.

i dont mind the backline with slade at 10 and taylor shuffling down one to 12, but i would like to see slade take over the kicking duties, cos taylor has been a big meh in 2014, not blyendaal meh but meh none the less.

the backline i would have played would have been,,,
9 a ellis, 10 c slade, 11 j mcnicholl, 12 r crotty, 13 n nadolo, 14 n tuitavake, 15 i dagg

but i dont have any real problems with nadolo starting on the bench as its his first game for the saders.

things are looking up for the saders, but the rebels in melbourne are no push overs as crusaders found out the last time they were in melbourne.
rebels cleaned up the crusaders in similar circumstances to the crusaders loss against blues this year.

good luck tot he crusaders, this is one match where i wont be cheering for my aussie team the sometimes mighty rebels, lolz, :oP

You going to this one bro?