Crusaders suffering injury crisis ahead of Southern derby

The Crusaders are dealing with an injury crisis after captain Sam Whitelock was ruled out of Saturday’s Southern Derby blockbuster against the Highlanders in Dunedin with a head injury.

The All Black lock was ruled out due to ongoing symptoms suffered from a concussion that forced him from the field in the early stages of last week’s match against the Hurricanes. Another All Black in Luke Romano will move from the bench into the starting side as Whitelock’s replacement, while Matt Todd will resume captaincy duties.

The news comes after vice-captain and All Blacks centre Ryan Crotty was also ruled out following his own concussion. Tim Bateman will be an invaluable replacement for Crotty in the midfield, also taking over his vice-captaincy role.

The Crusaders are dealing with adversity at first five-eighth after backup Mike Delaney withdrew after suffering a sore knee. Mitchell Hunt will start with Brett Cameron set to make his debut from the bench if required.

The reshuffle also means Mitch Drummond has been handed a start to pair with Hunt in the halves. The halfback is expecting the Highlanders to throw everything at them in a clash which is usually played at an extreme pace.

“We have just got to be ready for everything.

“We can only do so much homework and they are going to throw something at us on Saturday night that we have never seen before, there is no doubt about that,” Drummond said.

Under the roof of Forsyth Barr the side Scott Robertson is expecting a frenetic game.

“Under the roof it is a high tempo game, it is a width game,” Robertson said. “Your skill level and tempo is critical and they have been very successful over the years in running teams off their feet. We are aware of that.”

Crusaders: David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Tim Bateman (vice-captain), George Bridge, Mitchell Hunt, Mitchell Drummond, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd (captain), Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Luke Romano, Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Chris King, Oliver Jager, Quinten Strange, Billy Harmon, Bryn Hall, Mike Delany, Manasa Mataele.

Highlanders: Ben Smith (co-captain), Waisake Naholo, Rob Thompson, Tei Walden, Tevita Li, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt, Liam Squire, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Siate Tokolahi, Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli. Reserves: Ash Dixon (co-captain), Daniel Lienert-Brown, Kalolo Tuiloma, Shannon Frizell, Elliot Dixon, Kayne Hammington, Fletcher Smith, Matt Faddes.