All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg has been moved back to the Crusaders’ No.15 jersey for the Super Rugby match against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday.
Dagg filled in on the left wing in the Crusaders’ season-opening 34-15 defeat to the Blues last Friday night.
He replaces Tom Taylor, who drops to the reserves, with Johnny McNicholl returning from injury to take over on the left wing.
The move is one of three personnel changes that coach Todd Blackadder has made to his starting 15.
On the right wing, Tom Marshall is elevated from the bench in a straight swap with Adam Whitelock.
The other change was forced by injury, with lock Luke Romano’s rib problem meaning Dominic Bird, who impressed off the bench at Eden Park on his Super Rugby debut, coming in.
The Hurricanes are seeking their first win of the season after losses to the Blues and the Queensland Reds.
The match will feature the first contest between All Blacks propping brothers Owen and Ben Franks, the latter having moved from the Crusaders to the Hurricanes in the off-season.
Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Tom Marshall, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Johnny McNicholl, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (capt), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Dominic Bird, Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Tom Donnelly, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Tom Taylor, Adam Whitelock.