Crusaders

The Crusaders team to play the Highlanders in a Super 15 pre-season rugby match in Oamaru on Friday has been named.

The Crusaders have reacted swiftly to counter a jab from Bulls skipper Victor Matfield, who today accused them of illegal scrummaging ahead of Sunday morning's (NZT) Super 14 rugby semifinal at Soweto on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

The Bulls have upped the ante by accusing the Crusaders of illegal scummaging ahead of their Super 14 rugby semifinal.

The Bulls have named 14 former winners in the defending champion's starting lineup for Saturday's Super 14 semifinal against Canterbury Crusaders in Soweto.

All Blacks and Crusaders halfback Andy Ellis has made a timely return to form as his main rival for the Crusaders No 9 jersey, Kahn Fotuali'i, has been stood down for Friday's crucial Super 14 rugby match against the Brumbies in Christchurch.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has made two changes to his starting 15 for a crucial Super 14 rugby match against the Brumbies in Christchurch on Friday night.

Breaching a team protocol means halfback Kahn Fotuali'i will take no part in the Crusaders' Super 14 rugby match against the Brumbies on Friday night.

Crusaders team named today to play the Bulls in a Super 14 rugby match in Pretoria on Saturday morning (NZT):

Finals time has arrived early for the Crusaders, New Zealand's only realistic hope of Super 14 rugby silverware this season.

Crusaders hooker Corey Flynn has been named in the starting line-up to face the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday morning (NZ time).

Thomas Waldrom's playing days in the Super 14 rugby competition are numbered, but the tireless Crusader is leaving no stone unturned as he endeavours to bow out with a winner's medal around his neck.

All Blacks Daniel Carter, Brad Thorn, Kieran Read, Zac Guildford and Owen Franks return to a powerful Crusaders starting 15 amid seven personnel changes to play the Force in a Super 14 rugby match Perth on Friday.

Crusaders first five-eighth Dan Carter has failed a fitness test on his injured hip and will miss tomorrow's Super 14 rugby match against the Cheetahs.

First five-eighth Dan Carter became the highest pointscorer in Super rugby history as his Crusaders held out the New South Wales Waratahs 20-13 in an arm-wrestle in Christchurch tonight.

Al Baxter's patience was tested through 100 games before he finally notched his first Super rugby try last weekend.

Injury concerns over Waratahs captain Phil Waugh and fellow loose forward Wycliff Palu have eased with both being included in New South Wales Waratahs team to play the Crusaders in a Super 14 rugby match in Christchurch on Saturday night.

There are some who may think the Waratahs should get themselves a framed copy of the Super 14 rugby standings after eight rounds of the competition this season.