Crusaders flanker to hit the century

The return of halfback Bryn Hall is the only change to a Crusaders side that will celebrate Matt Todd’s 100th Super Rugby appearance against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Sunday morning.

Coach Scott Robertson, having watched his side carpet bomb the Stormers 57-24 by utilising a combination of their rushing defensive line and alert attack in Christchurch last weekend, clearly wants to get more out of his combinations during the short tour of South Africa.

Their next match will be against the Bulls in Pretoria.

Openside flanker Todd, who has remained loyal to NZ Rugby and the Crusaders despite having to compete with Richie McCaw for the No 7 jersey at the club between 2011 and 2015, played his 100th match for the club last week but that figure included a non-Super Rugby game against the touring English side in 2014.

‘‘Matt is an absolute work horse who gives full energy and commitment every time he takes the field – it wouldn’t matter if it was his first game or his 100th,’’ Robertson said.

‘‘We loved celebrating his Crusaders milestone with him last week and it will be special to see him notch up the tonne again this week in respect to Super Rugby games.’’

Todd, who is contracted with NZ Rugby until the end of 2018, has also played eight tests for the All Blacks since 2013.