A hint of irony at the Crusaders and their locking stocks heading into Good Friday's top of the table clash with the Blues in Christchurch

Centurion Luke Romano was let go by the club last year with opportunities likely to be limited this season, but has been a regular for the Blues this year and starts this week.

Back at the Crusaders they'll hand young buck Zach Gallagher his first start.

Coach Scott Robertson says they've got three tall timbers sidelined.



Gallagher's inclusion one of three changes to the Crusaders starting side with Leicester Fainga'anuku back on the left wing and Bryn Hall at halfback.

The Blues will also have Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returning from injury off the bench, and assistant coach Tom Coventry hopes he's the player to help deliver a first win in the garden city since 2004.



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