Head coach Todd Blackadder has opted for form ahead of reputation for the Crusaders’ opening Super Rugby match against defending champions the Chiefs in Christchurch on Friday night.
All Blacks Wyatt Crockett, a Crusaders’ centurion, and five-eighths Tom Taylor are on the bench and former All Blacks wing Zac Guildford has missed the 23-man team, his place on the left wing being taken by uncapped Nafi Tuitavake, a member of the wider training squad.
Newcomer loosehead prop Tim Perry starts ahead of Crockett while Tyler Bleyendaal will start at first five-eighths instead of Taylor and the injured Colin Slade.
Blackadder said pre-season form in three trial games dictated starting positions.
“Tim Perry’s pre-season form has been outstanding so you couldn’t deny him that opportunity,” Blackadder said.
“Nafi has shown us that he’s going to be a great player. He’s been outstanding with his work-rate and with the ball in hand.”
Despite earlier suggestions that Matt Todd might displace Richie McCaw in the No.7 jersey, Blackadder has McCaw as his captain and in his specialist openside flanker position.
Kieran Read, who will be available for the next round, will captain the Crusaders for the season.
The Chiefs have beaten the Crusaders in three of their last four clashes, eliminating the seven-time champions in the semi-finals in 2012 and last year.
“We know they will bring their A game and they can be really ruthless with turnover ball and defensively they’ll come up very hard,” Blackadder said.
Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Johnny McNicholl, Rey Lee-Lo, Ryan Crotty, Nafi Tuitavake, Tyler Bleyendaal, Andy Ellis, Luke Whitelock, Richie McCaw (captain), George Whitelock, Dominic Bird, Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Tim Perry. Reserves: Rob Thompson, Tom Taylor, Willi Heinz, Luke Romano, Nepo Laulala, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Funnell.