Zac Guildford is poised to make his playing return to the Crusaders after being named on their reserve bench for Saturday’s Super Rugby match against the Southern Kings.
All Blacks winger Guildford is included in a squad which features four changes to that which beat the Bulls 41-19 in Christchurch last weekend.
The 24-year-old withdrew from the Crusaders in January after an alcohol-related incident and only returned to the squad late last week.
Under threat of losing his New Zealand Rugby Union contract, Guildford sought treatment for alcoholism and has vowed to improve his off-field behaviour.
There are two changes to the starting 15, where All Black Luke Romano returns at lock following a rib injury while Willi Heinz is named at halfback. Lock Dominic Bird and halfback Andy Ellis drop to the reserve bench.
Guildford takes Adam Whitelock’s place among the reserves while Codie Taylor comes onto the bench for Ben Funnell, who is serving a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle against the Bulls.
Team: Israel Dagg, Tom Marshall, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Johnny McNicholl, Dan Carter, Willi Heinz, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Res: Codie Taylor, Joe Moody, Dominic Bird, Luke Whitelock, Andy Ellis, Tyler Bleyendaal, Zac Guildford.
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