Crusaders to battle Highlanders without 8 All Blacks

The super rugby reigning champion will be without eight All Blacks in there Round 5 clash against the Highlanders tonight.

These players include Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Tim Perry, Israel Dagg, Richie Mo'unga and Ryan Crotty.

Crotty, who has been replaced by the experienced Tim Bateman at second‑five eighth, will surely be missed by the Highlanders, particularly if the Highlanders can generate enough ball to feed the likes of wing Waisake Naholo, who has ran in eight tries in the past five games between the teams.

However, the Highlanders are simply expecting the team they lost all three games against last year, to turn up hungry for a backlash after their 29‑19 defeat to the Hurricanes a week ago.

Crusaders will play the Highlanders at 6.35 tonight.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs beat the Bulls 41‑28 in last nights game.

In the other match tonight, the Brumbies will play the Sharks at 8.45.

The Stormers will take on the Blues at 1.05am tomorrow, the Lions will meet the Sunwolves at 3.15am, the Reds play the Jaguares at 9.40am while the Waratahs play the Rebels at 5.05pm tomorrow.

Source: Stuff.co