KEY POINTS:
The Crusaders rubbished reports of injury concerns for captain Richie McCaw after naming a full-strength Super 14 rugby side to play the Western Force in Perth on Sunday.
Coach Robbie Deans today confirmed three changes to the side who beat the Stormers 22-0 in Cape Town, including the
recall of All Blacks Greg Somerville and Scott Hamilton to the starting lineup.
Somerville and fellow-prop Ben Franks return in another front row rotation, with Wyatt Crockett benched and Campbell Johnstone rested.
Hamilton, who returned home from South Africa for personal reasons, replaces winger Sean Maitland who scored one of the Crusaders' two tries in Cape Town.
Winger Kade Poki was the only unavailability due to a hamstring strain.
McCaw was confirmed in the side despite local media reports suggesting he was doubtful after departing yesterday's training session early.
A Crusaders spokesman said McCaw had a slight adductor muscle strain and missed the latter part of training as a precaution, but was never in doubt, while Deans said it was a "non-issue."
All Blacks lock Ali Williams was also named after feeling unwell yesterday and playing a minor role at training.
Deans said the rotation of the front rowers showed the "strong competition" for places in the side as they chase their fourth win from four matches this season.
Having created history by holding the Stormers scoreless for the first time in their existence, and completed their first unbeaten South African tour since 2002, the Crusaders are now chasing their first win in Perth.
In the teams' only previous Super 14 match at Subiaco Oval, the Force nearly pulled off the biggest upset of the competition in a 23-23 draw in 2006.
The Crusaders sit second on the ladder, one point behind the Blues, while the Force are in good shape in equal fourth spot after a satisfying two win, one loss tour of South Africa.
They raise the bar when they are asked too, and this is especially the case when they are playing at home.
That makes them very difficult opponents, said Deans, who will square off with his 2003 All Blacks coaching colleague John Mitchell.
The Force won four of their seven home matches last season, and are coming off narrow South African wins over the Cheetahs, 16-15, and the Lions, 18-16.
The Crusaders meanwhile have a record of 10 wins from 23 Super rugby matches in Australia.
Deans was stressing the need to retain focus after achieving their goal in South Africa.
They are booked to fly home at midnight on the night of the match, which starts at 5pm local time (9pm NZT), after three weeks on the road.
Concentration on the task at hand will be vital, Deans said.
"We have already achieved something on this trip - in terms of coming through South Africa unbeaten - that hasnt been done by the Crusaders in a while," he said.
"Sunday provides us with the chance to do something we have never done before - by winning a game in Perth.
"We are not going to be able to achieve that unless we ignore all peripheral issues and focus totally on the task at hand."
A big crowd is expected for the Force's first home game of the season, with nearly 32,000 tickets already sold.
Crusaders
Leon MacDonald, Scott Hamilton, Casey Laulala, Stephen Brett, Caleb Ralph, Daniel Carter, Andrew Ellis, Mose Tuiali'i, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks. Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Wyatt Crockett, Reuben Thorne, Nasi Manu, Kahn Fotuali'i, Tim Bateman, Sean Maitland
- NZPA
