Struggling All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg has been dropped to the reserve bench for the Crusaders crucial match against the Super Rugby-leading Brumbies.

Coach Todd Blackadder announced four starting changes from the team who stuttered to a 30-26 home win over the Melbourne Rebels on Sunday, including the first start in six weeks for All Black five-eighth Dan Carter.

Dagg’s omission from the match in Canberra on Sunday is the biggest surprise, with the backline shuffled to move Tom Taylor into the No.15 jersey.

Dagg, 24, has struggled to find his attacking verve this season, most notably in the four games since returning from a hamstring injury. Match statistics show he missed all four of his attempted tackles against the Rebels.

The 25-Test veteran could still play a role off the bench for the seventh-placed Crusaders who face a Brumbies side coming off their seventh win of the season, a 41-7 home thumping of the Western Force.

Carter played 25 minutes off the bench last week after missing four weeks following the arrival of his first child and a subsequent hamstring strain.

Andy Ellis and Wyatt Crockett are restored at halfback and prop respectively, demoting Willi Heinz and Joe Moody to the bench.

Robbie Fruean returns at centre, pushing Ryan Crotty in one place to inside centre and Taylor to the back.

There is still no return for All Blacks No.8 Kieran Read, who will miss a fifth game because of his injured toe.

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