Crusaders ring the changes

Nick Stiles might have sat down and stared intently at this Crusaders team as he tried to work-out what tricks Scott Robertson was trying to unleash so early in the season.

It would be understandable if Red coach Stiles, who labelled his side’s performance as ‘‘atrocious’’ following the 26-19 loss to the Force last weekend, had nervously monitored his computer as he waited for Crusaders counterpart Robertson to list his players for the Super Rugby match in Brisbane tomorrow night.

After all, the Crusaders are a team surely surfing a massive wave of confidence; last week they spun around from a 21-point deficit to stun the Highlanders 30-27 in Dunedin and earn two consecutive wins at the start of the season for the first time since 2008.

Unlike the Crusaders coaching staff, Stiles was far from jubilant after the Reds misfired in Perth.

‘‘It was an atrocious game of football. We didn’t deserve to win it,’’ he fumed. ‘‘And I am glad we didn’t score a try at the end to get a draw because it wouldn’t have been a fair reflection of the performance.’’

One thing is certain: Although he was correct in predicting ex-reds flyer Digby Ioane would make his first-class

debut for the Crusaders, Stiles would have done well to select the rest of the Crusaders starting XV that features a total of seven positional changes because of injuries and rotation.

All Blacks tighthead prop Owen Franks, along with test loosehead Wyatt Crockett who has been ill this week, has been given an early break and they remain in Christchurch, openside flanker Matt Todd won’t be risked because he strained a calf in training and No 6 Jordan Taufua has been listed in the reserves.

Mike Alaalatoa starts at tighthead prop and there is a change at halfback, where Mitchell Drummond gets his first start of the year. Ioane will make his first Super appearance for his new club on the left wing and Israel Dagg returns to fullback to allow Seta Tamanivalu to start on the right flank.