All Black suffers broken thumb

Crusaders captain Matt Todd could be out for up to six weeks after breaking his thumb during his team’s 45-23 victory over the Chiefs.

Todd joins an extensive list of Crusaders players out with injury, including All Blacks Israel Dagg, Kieran Read, Joe Moody and Owen Franks.

Billy Harmon, who made his Super Rugby debut from the bench last week, will start in Todd’s place when the Crusaders take on the Stormers on Saturday night.

Lock Luke Romano moves to the bench for what will be his 100th game for the Crusaders, with Scott Barrett joining Sam Whitelock in the second row.

Of Romano’s achievement, coach Scott Robertson said “100 Super Rugby games is a real testament to Luke’s character; he’s not only an uncompromising competitor, but is also a loyal Crusaders man and a great leader.”

The Crusaders backline remains unchanged from last week.

The Stormers are dealing with injury woes themselves, as wing Dillyn Leyds gets the nod to replace Damian Willemse in the No 10 Jersey.

Leyds’ place on the wing is taken by sevens star Seabelo Senatla, and EW Viljoen starts at outside centre after an injury to JJ Engelbrecht.

In the forward pack, in-form prop Steven Kitshoff takes a seat on the bench as Jacobus Janse van Rensburg makes his first start of the season.

Cobus Wiese returns to openside flanker after missing last week’s game.

Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck is excited at the prospect of playing the Crusaders.

“The players are very excited about what we can achieve against the Crusaders this week, we certainly will not be holding back.

“It has been a good week of preparation and the mindset is that we are ready to rise to the challenge that the defending champions will present on their home turf,” he said.

Crusaders
15. David Havili, 14. Seta Tamanivalu, 13. Jack Goodhue, 12. Ryan Crotty, 11. George Bridge, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 9. Bryn Hall, 8. Jordan Taufua, 7. Billy Harmon, 6. Peter Samu, 5. Sam Whitelock (c), 4. Scott Barrett, 3. Michael Alaalatoa, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: 16. Andrew Makalio, 17. Chris King, 18. Oliver Jager, 19. Luke Romano, 20. Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Mitchell Hunt, 23. Manasa Mataele.

Stormers
15. Sarel Marais, 14. Seabelo Senatla, 13. EW Viljoen, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Raymond Rhule, 10. Dillyn Leyds, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Cobus Wiese, 6. Siya Kolisi (C), 5. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4. John Schickerling, 3. Wilco Louw, 2. Ramone Samuels, 1. Jacobus Janse van Resnburg.

Reserves: 16. Dean Muir, 17. Steven Kitshoff, 18. Carlu Sadie, 19. Jan de Klerk, 20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21. Kobus van Dyk, 22. Justin Phillips, 23. George Whitehead.