All Blacks Sam Whitelock and Zac Guildford are restored to the Crusaders starting line-up among three changes to face the winless Highlanders in a Super Rugby match at Christchurch on Saturday.

Openside flanker Matt Todd also returns to the side who were toppled 16-14 by the Western Force in Perth last weekend.

Todd replaces Shane Christie, who injured ribs 20 minutes into the Force match, which was his first appearance of the season.

Whitelock replaces Tom Donnelly at lock while Guildford takes the left wing berth of Adam Whitelock.

Sam Whitelock will play his 50th Super Rugby match, as will brother Adam if he is used off the reserve bench.

Backup lock Dominic Bird returns to the reserve bench after being dropped from the squad last week due to an undisclosed breach of team protocol.

The Crusaders are still without two injured All Blacks stars – five-eighth Dan Carter (hamstring) and No.8 Kieran Read (toe).

Coming off losses to the Sharks and Force, they will take some solace at returning home after a three-game road trip.

The Highlanders, who have opened their season with seven straight defeats, have won just one of the last 10 southern derbies in Christchurch.

Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Tom Marshall, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Zac Guildford, Tyler Bleyendaal, Andy Ellis, Luke Whitelock, Matt Todd, George Whitelock (capt), Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Res: Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Dominic Bird, Jordan Taufua, Willi Heinz, Tom Taylor, Adam Whitelock.