The Crusaders have received a massive boost ahead of Saturday\u2019s Super Rugby Pacific final against the Chiefs in Christchurch when it was confirmed that All Blacks front-row Tamaiti Williams has been declared fit for the clash.<\/b><\/p>\n
The home side\u2019s head coach, Rob Penney, has made two alterations to his team for the eagerly anticipated encounter at the Apollo Projects Stadium with Williams and Macca Springer the new faces in the starting line-up after last weekend\u2019s semi-final victory over the Blues.<\/p>\n
Williams<\/a> is back in action after recovering from a knee injury and comes into the run-on side at the expense of fellow New Zealand<\/a> front-row George Bower at loosehead prop, while Springer replaces Chay Fihaki, who is ruled out with concussion.<\/p>\n Codie Taylor is the starting hooker and packs down up front alongside Williams and tighthead Fletcher Newell in an All Blacks front-row and Penney<\/a> is delighted that Williams has made a full recovery from his injury.<\/p>\n \u2018The blessing of having a great squad\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cTamaiti is ready to go, he was on the cusp of being ready last week but it\u2019s the blessing of having a great squad; George Bower has done an amazing job and he\u2019s unlucky not to be starting but Tamaiti has got himself back into selection and he\u2019s going to get the opportunity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Antonio Shalfoon and the experienced Scott Barrett continue in the second-row while Tom Christie and Ethan Blackadder are the two flankers and the back-row is completed by Christian Lio-Willie, who packs down at number eight.<\/p>\n In the backline, exciting playmaker Rivez Reihana will be combining with All Blacks scrum-half Noah Hotham as the starting half-back combination.<\/p>\n \u201cI know the Chiefs boys really well, being up there for four or five years, you build some relationships so it\u2019ll definitely be good to see them again and come up against them,\u201d said Reihana.<\/p>\n With Fihaki missing out, Springer takes his spot the left wing this week, with All Blacks speedster and Super Rugby<\/a>\u2018s top try-scorer Sevu Reece lining up on the right wing.<\/p>\n Ex-All Black hails \u2018unreal\u2019 Scott Barrett after taking \u2018heat publicly\u2019 for his form but is \u2018peaking at the right time\u2019<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cMacca has been training hard behind the scenes,\u201d said Penney. \u201cYou always say to your players; an opportunity will come, be ready. Now it\u2019s come and he\u2019s ready.\u201d<\/p>\n The rest of the backline sees skipper David Havili and Braydon Ennor forming the centre combination while All Blacks star Will Jordan continues as the starting full-back.<\/p>\n