Mitch Hunt will start at fly-half for the Crusaders when they take on the Hurricanes in a repeat of last year's semi-final at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
Head Coach Scott Robertson has named his team for the match, which includes two changes to the loose forward trio and one in the backline, from the side that took the field against the Stormers last weekend.
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis will start at blindside flanker against the Hurricanes, in place of Pete Samu. Vice captain Matt Todd returns to the openside this week, having recovered from the thumb injury which kept him out of the Stormers match, and Billy Harmon moves to the bench.
In the backs, Hunt is set to start at fly-half on Saturday night after Richie Mo'unga fractured his jaw in the Stormers clash. Mike Delany, who has 47 Super Rugby caps to his name, will provide cover on the bench. The only other change sees hooker Ben Funnell take a spot in the reserves this week.
Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Mitchell Hunt, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Samuel Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Chris King, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Billy Harmon, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mike Delany, 23 Manasa Mataele
Date: Saturday, March 9
Venue: Westpac Stadium
Kick-off: 19:35 local (06:35 GMT)
Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Cam Stone (New Zealand)
Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
The post Mitch Hunt at 10 for Crusaders appeared first on Planet Rugby.