Dagg steps into the midfield

The Crusaders have announced the team that will play the second pre-season warm up against the Highlanders in Oamaru on Friday.

The team includes a number of experienced players, as well as some new blood.

Andy Ellis, Luke Romano, Wyatt Crockett and Israel Dagg are some of the regular Crusader stars that will lead the way, with Ryan Crotty captaining the outfit.

Dagg, who had a phenomenal 2012 season with the All Blacks, has been moved from his regular fullback position into outside centre.

A new player, Telusa Veainu, who was with the Canterbury NPC team, has been called up into the squad and will take a place on the bench, alongside Robbie Fruean.

Crusaders: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Adam Whitelock, 13 Israel Dagg, 12 Ryan Crotty (captain), 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Tom Taylor, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Shane Christie, 6 Luke Whitelock, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Pa’ea Fa’anunu, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements – from: Tyler Blyendaal, Matt Todd, Kieran Fonotia, George Whitelock, Mitch Graham, Joel Everson, .Telusa Veainu, Robbie Fruean, Willi Heinz, Jeremy Su’a, Jimmy Tupou, Joe Moody, Adrian Barone, Codie Taylor.

– Jeremy Proome

Source NZHerald