McCaw and Jack in reserves for Cats match

Coach Robbie Deans has rung the changes for his Crusaders squad this week, but insists he means no disrespect to the Cats for their Super 14 rugby clash at Jade Stadium on Friday.

In-form captain Richie McCaw will start from the bench in the sixth-round match, with veteran blindside flanker Reuben Thorne calling the shots as captain.

Kevin O'Neill comes in as lock for Chris Jack, who takes a seat on the bench for a well-deserved break, and halfback Kevin Senio is back in the starting lineup, swapping his place in the reserves with Andrew Ellis.

Rookie prop Ben Franks, who came off the bench for 20 minutes against the Chiefs in his Super 14 debut last week, gains his first start for the Crusaders, and Johnny Leo'o, Brad Mika and Casey Laulala return to the starting lineup.

Deans told NZPA today a number of the changes had been forced on him and he intended "absolutely no disrespect" to the Cats.

Prop Wyatt Crockett was sore from his work over the last few weeks and Franks would fill the void well after a good start last week, he said.

Campbell Johnstone was unavailable with a calf strain that Deans expected would further improve after next week's bye.

No 8 Mose Tuiali'i was getting a break because he deserved one.

"He's getting thrashed and he's been carrying the ball up more often than anyone else and probably just needs a rest," he said.

Brad Mika, who has started as lock, but prefers the No 8 slot, was getting his "big opportunity".

"That's what he came here for, so it's a big day for him."

Deans said the changes would "inevitably" affect team dynamics.

"But we're well into our programme now and the guys are well-versed in what we do. There'll be no excuses."

He expected the Cats to be wounded and looking to atone themselves after their hefty 3-50 loss to the Waratahs last week.

"They were humiliated on the track at the weekend," Deans said.

"There's only one way they're going to respond to that. We're expecting they'll turn up to play and they'll be highly motivated."

Stand-in captain Thorne said the Cats would be hurting and eager to regain some pride.

"They're fighting for more than just competition points. They're fighting for survival in the competition itself, in terms of next year," he said.

Thorne said the Crusaders had been looking closely at their performance after being "lucky to get away with" the 25-19 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton last Friday night.

"We didn't play to the standards that we hope for and set for ourselves," he said. "We've been pretty honest with each other and we're looking to step up again."

Franks says he was "all smiles for the next few days" after his debut 20-minute stint off the bench last week and is bursting to make a good impression this week in his first appearance in the starting 15.

"Hopefully, having got my first run out of the way, I can get out there a little more clear-headed this week," he said.

He expects the Cats will be "physical".

"They're the sort of team that if you write them off they're going to come back and bite you. We definitely don't want that to happen before the bye."

TEAMS:

Crusaders -

Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Casey Laulala, Aaron Mauger, Scott Hamilton, Daniel Carter, Kevin Senio, Brad Mika, Johnny Leo'o, Reuben Thorne (captain), Ross Filipo, Kevin O'Neill, Ben Franks, Corey Flynn, Greg Somerville.

Reserves:

Tone Kopelani, Wyatt Crockett, Chris Jack, Richard McCaw, Andrew Ellis, Cameron McIntyre, Caleb Ralph.

Cats -

Conrad Jantjes, Wylie Human, Jaque Fourie, Doppies la Grange, Jorrie Muller, Earl Rose, Enrico Januarie, Cobus Grobbelaar, Wikus van Heerden, Gerhard Vosloo, Willem Stoltz, KleinJan Tromp, Daniel Muller, Delarey du Preez, Pietman van Niekerk.

Reserves:

Lukas van Biljon, Lawrence Sephaka, Gordon Gilfillan, Jano Vermaak, Wayne Julies, Tiaan Snyman.

- NZPA