Mehrtens replaced by McIntyre in Crusaders line-up

11.45am

Andrew Mehrtens has been dropped from the Crusaders team for Sunday's (NZT) Super 12 rugby match against the Cats in Johannesburg.

He is one of five changes to the team beaten 25-29 by the Sharks a week ago and coach Robbie Deans indicated Mehrtens exit from the team was based on form.

"It was a selection preference at five-eighths," Deans told NZPA from the team's base in Cape Town this morning.

Young Cameron McIntyre, switched to second five-eighth against the Sharks because of Daniel Carter's neck injury, returns to his more familiar No 10 jersey in Mehrtens's place for Sunday.

Carter slots back to second-five, inside Aaron Mauger.

McIntyre has played just one game at first five-eighths in the Super 12 - in the win over the Brumbies three weeks ago - when Mehrtens was ruled out with illness.

Mehrtens struggled against the Sharks and two of his errors resulted in tries.

His axing for Sunday could affect his All Blacks chances this year.

There was an outcry from rugby fans when Mehrtens wasn't included in last year's World Cup squad, coached by John Mitchell and Deans.

"Andrew was the first to admit he didn't have a great game against the Sharks," Deans said today.

"Cameron made a good fist of it when he played against the Brumbies and we're looking at a bit of consistency.

In other changes to the Crusaders, Deans has brought on Scott Hamilton at fullback for Ben Blair, Sam Broomhall at No 8 for Mose Tuiali'i and Johnny Leo'o for All Black Richie McCaw, regarded as the best openside flanker in international rugby at present.

"Ben has been struggling with a foot complaint for a while, but he was available to be considered. We're giving him (a break) to get himself right," Deans said.

"We've always said from the outset that we can't expect Richie to be on top of his game if he's playing week-in week-out. It's very much a freshening thing with him.

"Johnny Leo'o is very capable there (flanker) and he's ready to go. We've got the luxury of Richie being on the bench.

"With Mose -- it's an element of freshening and an element of tactical strategy. He could make an impact with fresh legs."

Deans said he expected to make the most of his bench on Sunday in the thin airs of Ellis Park and Johannesburg.

Deans was frustrated with the Crusaders' performance against the Sharks.

"We need a good game. We've been working on areas that were frustrating to us," he said.

"I think we were a bit impatient. We had a lot of opportunities but we looked to force those opportunities rather than showing a bit of patience.

"We got a bit flat on the ball carrier, which meant he was compromised on contact and we made errors that cost us dearly.

"We were off slightly in terms of accuracy, in terms of detail.

"It doesn't take much -- if you're not right on the case you get put away in this competition."

Hooker Tone Kopelani struggled with the lineout throws and his general play was a few notches below his performance against the Brumbies.

"He had a great game against the Brumbies I'd say, but he had a bit of a learning experience against the Sharks. He didn't adapt well to the pressure but he'll be much better for the experience.

"But to be fair, some of the details of his teammates didn't help, so it wasn't all his doing."

The Cats scored their first victory last weekend, beating the Chiefs 23-21.

"They're in a position where they haven't got much to lose," Deans said.

"They'll throw everything into it. They'll look to use the ball, they'll have a crack at the breakdown. We just have to be accurate with our choices and not let them into the game or allow them to disrupt our play."

Cats coach Chester Williams was playing cat-and-mouse with the Crusaders by not confirming his playmaker.

He has bracketed Andre Pretorius with Nel Fourie at first five-eighth, as he has also done with big loosehead prop Os du Randt and Gurthro Steenkamp for the match.

Crusaders: Scott Hamilton, Marika Vunibaka, Aaron Mauger, Caleb Ralph, Daniel Carter, Cameron McIntyre, Justin Marshall, Sam Broomhall, Johnny Leo'o, Chris Jack, Brad Thorn, Reuben Thorne, Greg Somerville, Tone Kopelani, Dave Hewett. Reserves: Slade McFarland, Chris King, Mose Tuiali'i, Richie McCaw, Jamie Nutbrown, Casey Laulala, Tony Koonwaiyou.

Cats: Conrad Jantjes, Ashwin Willemse, Jaque Fourie, Jorrie Muller, Wayne Julies, Andre Pretorius/Nel Fourie, Enrico Januarie, Pietie Ferreira, Wikus van Heerden (captain), Gerrie Britz, Boela du Plooy, Roland Bernard, CJ van der Linde, Hanyani Shimange, Os du Randt/Gurthro Steenkamp. Reserves: Andre van Niekerk, Gurthro Steenkamp/Os du Randt, Juan Smith, Gerhard Vosloo, Paul Delport, Andre Pretorius/Nel Fourie, Anton Pitout.

- NZPA

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