REDS AND CRUSADERS ANNOUNCE UNCHANGED TEAMS FOR SUPER RUGBY FINAL

The Reds and Crusaders have both named unchanged starting line-ups for Saturday’s Super Rugby Final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

It will be only the second time this season that the Reds have retained the same run-on team, the only other occasion being in Round 13 against the Blues and then in Round 15 against the Crusaders after coming off a bye. Ironically the repeat will come against the same two teams with the Reds having faced the Blues in last week’ semi-finals.

The Crusaders, meanwhile, have confirmed that scrumhalf Andy Ellis has been cleared fit and will run out with the same fifteen players that started the semi-final against the Stormers. Ellis was cleared on Thursday morning, meaning that there will be 12 capped past or present All Blacks in the starting XV, over half of whom would be considered automatic selections.

Ellis suffered knee and shoulder bruising in the Crusaders 29-10 semi-final victory over the Stormers in Cape Town, and while he has sat out most of the Crusaders training sessions this week, will start, meaning that Kahn Fotuali’i will come off the bench.

Commenting on his selection, Reds coach Ewan McKenzie said: “At this stage you benefit greatly from continuity and the team we selected against the Blues did a wonderful job and deserve another opportunity. We’ve benefited from a whole squad effort in 2011 but feel we have the right mix of experience and talent to be successful on Saturday night.”

“Playing in a Final is something you treasure and never take for granted, and I know the team is excited by the opportunity in front of them,” McKenzie said.

The availability of Ellis will be key for the Crusaders, as one of the deciding areas of the Super Rugby Final will be at halfback, with the 9/10 axis of both teams boasting Test representatives.

Ellis has been in strong form of late, and is seen as a key link between the Crusaders back row – consisting of Kieran Read, Richie McCaw and George Whitelock – and his team’s backline, run by Dan Carter.

Luke Romano, who flew out from South Africa later due to contracting chickenpox, trained with the team and has been cleared to sit on the bench.

“We’ve had a good week here in Brisbane and the players look full of energy,” coach Todd Blackadder said. “It’s going to be a great occasion and we know there will be a lot of Crusaders fans at the ground cheering us on.”

The final kicks off at 19h40 (21h40 NZ/11h40 SA) on Saturday.

The match will be refereed by Bryce Lawrence with Stuart Dickinson and Vinny Munro as Assistant Referees. George Ayoub is the TMO.

Teams

Reds:

1. Ben Daley
2. Saia Faingaa
3. Greg Holmes
4. Rob Simmons
5. James Horwill (c)
6. Scott Higginbotham
7. Beau Robinson
8. Radike Samo
9. Will Genia (vc)
10. Quade Cooper
11. Digby Ioane
12. Ben Tapuai
13. Anthony Faingaa
14. Rod Davies
15. Jono Lance

16. James Hanson
17. Guy Shepherdson
18. Adam Wallace-Harrison
19. Jake Schatz
20. Liam Gill
21. Ian Prior
22. Will Chambers

Crusaders:

1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Corey Flynn
3. Owen Franks
4. Brad Thorn
5. Sam Whitelock
6. George Whitelock
7. Richie McCaw (c)
8. Kieran Read
9. Andy Ellis/Kahn Fotuali’i
10. Dan Carter
11. Zac Guildford
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Sean Maitland
15. Tom Marshall

16. Quentin MacDonald
17. Ben Franks
18. Luke Romano/Chris Jack
19. Matt Todd
20. Kahn Fotuali’i/Willi Heinz
21. Matt Berquist
22. Ryan Crotty