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Off-loading: Thomas Waldrom of Hawke's Bay - Source: Photosport -
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In form Hawke's Bay number eight Thomas Waldrom is crediting a season of Super 14 rugby with the Crusaders for his stellar form
The 26-year-old has been one of the form number eights and will line-up against his old team-mates in Thursday night's top-of-the-table match against Canterbury in Napier.
Waldrom says he is a better player for his experiences in Christchurch. He says it definitely helped going down to Canterbury and playing a full season of Super 14 for the first time.
Waldrom is refusing to consider the possibility of being selected in the All Blacks squad for the end-of-season tour. He says he is just concentrating on trying to get Hawke's Bay a home semi-final and if All Blacks selection comes he will take it with both hands.
Meanwhile, there are two changes to the Hawke's Bay starting line-up to face Canterbury, including a return to the front row for one-time All Blacks hooker Hika Elliot, who replaces of Ash Dixon. The other change is injury enforced - Nick Thompson replacing Mark Jackman on the right wing.
Hawke's Bay: Israel Dagg, Nick Thompson, Jason Shoemark,
Andrew Horrell, Zac Guildford, Matt Berquist, Chris Eaton, Thomas
Waldrom, Karl Lowe, George Naoupu, Ross Kennedy, Michael Johnson,
Clint Newland, Hika Elliot, Sona Taumalolo.
Reserves: Ash Dixon, Josh Keys, Adam Bradey, Matt Egan, Dane
Shelford, Sam Giddens, Richard Buckman.
