The Crusaders are making their way to Canberra for their clash against the Brumbies.

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The
reigning champions recently beat the Sunwolves in a very nerve-wrecking
match last week. It was a close call when the teams went into the
half-time break at 14-5. Ten minutes into the second half the Sunwolves
had further cut the deficit to 14-11. The Crusaders ultimately luckily
managed to win 33-11.Brumbies team and injury newsHead Coach Dan McKellar made two changes for the big match.The
Brumbies will be without Australian flanker David Pocock for the
encounter with the dynamic flanker ruled out of action due to a calf
strain.The absence of Pocock has forced a reshuffle in the
Brumbies backrow with Lachlan McCaffrey, Rob Valetini and Ben Hyne also
all unavailable for selection. Blake Enever will therefore slot into the
No. 6 jersey with Tom Cusack moving to the other side of the scrum.There’s
one other change to the team that started against the Jaguares at the
same venue last Sunday, with centre Andrew Smith beginning his first
Super Rugby match since the Quarter Final clash against the Hurricanes
at GIO Stadium last year.There are four changes amongst the
replacements from the squad that faced the Argentinians with prop Ben
Alexander in line to win his 148th cap, should he take to the field.
Youngster Faalelei Sione is the other front-row replacement.Lolo
Fakaosilea is set for his first Super Rugby action since the match
against the Chiefs in Hamilton in Round 17 last season, whilst Andy
Muirhead is named in place of Smith on the bench as Kyle Godwin drops
out of the match day squad.In the starting XV, Isi Naisarani
continues in the backrow alongside Enever and Cusack. Carter is
partnered at lock by Rory Arnold, with the front-row of Scott Sio, Folau
Fainga’a and Allan Alaalatoa unchanged.Behind the scrum, Joe
Powell and Wharenui Hawera continue as the half-back pairing with Smith
joined in the centre by Tevita Kuridrani. Out wide Chance Peni, Henry
Speight and Tom Banks will aim to provide the thrust and pace to trouble
the Crusaders defence.Brumbies co-captain Sam Carter will play his 100th Brumbies Super Rugby match on Saturday evening.Brumbies:
15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Andrew Smith,
11 Chance Peni, 10 Wharenui Hawera, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Tom
Cusack, 6 Blake Enever, 5 Sam Carter (c), 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan
Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott SioSubstitutes: 16 Robbie
Abel, 17 Faalelei Sione, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Lolo
Fakaosilea, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Jordan Jackson-Hope, 23 Andrew MuirheadCrusaders team and injury newsAccording
to their website, head Coach Scott Robertson has made seven changes to
his team from the side that took the field against the Sunwolves last
weekend.In the forwards, Codie Taylor returns to the starting
line-up in place of injured hooker Ben Funnell, and Andrew Makalio will
once again provide cover on the bench.Sam Whitelock returns this
week to partner Scott Barrett at lock, and will resume the captaincy,
while Heiden Bedwell-Curtis and Jordan Taufua return to the loose
forward trio in the No. 6 and No. 8 jerseys respectively.At
halfback, Bryn Hall joins the starting side this week and Mitch Drummond
takes a spot on the bench. Seta Tamanivalu will start on the left wing
on Saturday night in place of his nephew, Manasa Mataele, who moves to
the reserves for this game.The midfield combination of Ryan
Crotty and Tim Bateman remains unchanged, and Israel Dagg will once
again start on the right wing following his successful return to play
last weekend.David Havili completes the line-up this week at
fullback in place of George Bridge – with both players having played the
most minutes of anyone in the team this season.Crusaders: 15
David Havili, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Seta
Tamanivalu, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Todd, 6
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen
Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tim PerrySubstitutes: 16 Andrew
Makalio, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20
Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitch Hunt, 23 Manasa MataeleKick-off timeSaturday, 28 April, 11:45 (SAST).TV & Live StreamSuper Sport 1 (subscription required) at 11:40 (SAST).