RU:Samu on Crusaders bench for final

Super Crusaders (With factbox) By Daniel Gilhooly WELLINGTON, Aug 2 AAP - Pete Samu has been labelled an impact specialist by Crusaders coach Scott Robertson, which is why the Wallabies international is still on the bench for the Super Rugby final. Coach Scott Robertson was forced to make one starting change for Saturday's showdown with the Lions in Christchurch after flanker Jordan Taufua broke his arm in the semi-final. It was expected Samu would wear the No.6 jersey but Robertson plumped for the more industrious Heiden Bedwell-Curtis. It will be the ninth bench appearance of the season for fleet-footed Samu, who was also employed in an impact role in all three Tests against Ireland when he made his Australian debut in June. "Heiden has been extraordinary every time he has played for us and it is probably more that Pete is exceptional off the bench," Robertson said. "He can change the pace of the game up, it is a real strength of his." There is one bench change from the team which thrashed the Hurricanes 30-12 last week. Reserve hooker Sebastian Siataga also broke his arm in what was his Super Rugby debut. Andrew Makalio will take that spot if he shakes off a calf injury. Otherwise fifth-ranked Cruaders hooker Sam Anderson-Heather will be the backup to All Black Codie Taylor. Robertson revealed he struggled with another bench choice, where he stuck with Tim Perry as loosehead prop reserve rather than Wyatt Crockett. It means Crockett will be in the stands for what would have been his 203rd and final game for the Crusaders. Super Rugby's most capped player, Crockett is ending a 13-year association with the eight-time champions. "It was the hardest decision I have had to make as a coach, I will be honest with you," Robertson said. "Great man, great Crusader. Highest capped and given more to this team than anyone else. We want to send him out the way he should be sent out, and we promised we would." Crusaders: David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Heiden Bedwell- Curtis, Sam Whitelock (capt), Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Res: Sam Anderson-Heather/Andrew Makalio, Tim Perry, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Braydon Ennor.

AAP dbg/WF 02-08-18 1447