All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg has been moved off the bench and back into the Crusaders’ starting side to face Super Rugby leaders the Chiefs.
A dip in form meant Dagg had to be content with a place in the reserves for the Crusaders’ last two matches, but he has been returned to the No.15 jersey for the clash in Hamilton on Friday night.
His inclusion has been accompanied by a rejig of the backline, with previous fullback Tom Taylor moving to inside centre.
Ryan Crotty shifts one place out to centre, replacing Robbie Fruean, who drops to the bench.
There is one other personnel change in the starting line-up, with hooker Codie Taylor taking over from Ben Funnell, who is bracketed with Laurence Corlett on the bench.
Funnell was himself a late replacement for Corey Flynn in the No.2 jersey before the win over the Blues last weekend, after Flynn tweaked a hamstring in the warm-up.
He then picked up a knee injury in the 23-3 victory that propelled the Crusaders to fifth on the ladder.
With Flynn and Funnell doubtful, coach Todd Blackadder called in the 33-year-old Corlett from Taranaki club rugby.
Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Tom Marshall, Ryan Crotty, Tom Taylor, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (captain), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett.
Reserves: Ben Funnell/Laurence Corlett, Joe Moody, Dominic Bird, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Robbie Fruean, Telusa Veainu.
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