All Blacks openside flankers Sam Cane and Matt Todd will go head to head when New Zealand’s two leading Super Rugby sides clash in a match that could settle top spot in the conference.

Cane is among four changes that defending champions and competition leaders the Chiefs have made to their starting 15 to face the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday night.

He began on the bench in the 34-22 win over the Hurricanes last weekend after a hefty workload in the All Blacks’ three-Test series against France.

He was on the field for all bar the last eight minutes of the series, with Todd coming on late in the final Test in New Plymouth to earn his debut cap.

Cane comes in for Tanerau Latimer, who moves to the bench.

Prop Ben Tameifuna, centre Charlie Ngatai and winger Patrick Osborne are the others returning to the Chiefs’ starting line-up.

Tameifuna is in for Ben Afeaki, Ngatai for Tim Nanai-Williams and Osborne for Lelia Masaga.

Afeaki and Nanai-Williams have been included in the reserves, with Nana-Williams making his 50th Super Rugby appearance if he takes the field.

The Chiefs will clinch top spot in the New Zealand conference if they come away from AMI Stadium with at least a point, or if the fifth-placed Crusaders fail to win with a bonus point.

Coach Dave Rennie knows his players are in for a tough battle given what’s at stake.

“The Crusaders are a quality side,” he said.

“They will be desperate so we know they’re going to be huge challenge down in Christchurch.”

Chiefs: Robbie Robinson, Patrick Osborne, Charlie Ngatai, Bundee Aki, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Matt Vant Leven, Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke, Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Mahonri Schwalger, Ben Afeaki, Michael Fitzgerald, Tanerau Latimer, Augustine Pulu, Andrew Horrell, Tim Nanai-Williams.