All Blacks prop Owen Franks remains sidelined but there is a return from injury for hooker Corey Flynn in the Crusaders side to face the NSW Waratahs in Christchurch.

Flynn returns from a hamstring strain that ruled him out of the past two games, replacing youngster Codie Taylor from the side that lost 28-19 to the Chiefs in Hamilton last week.

Coach Todd Blackadder has made two other starting changes for the pivotal match on Friday between the sixth-placed hosts and eighth-placed Waratahs.

Halfback Andy Ellis is demoted the reserve bench for the fourth time this season, replaced by Willie Heinz, while All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock is ruled out with the fractured finger suffered against the Chiefs.

Whitelock’s place is filled by Dominic Bird, who will have plenty to prove.

Bird, 22, looks set be involved in the Test series against France in June despite playing just 77 minutes of Super Rugby since the Crusaders’ fifth-round win over the Bulls in mid-March.

Tighthead strongman Franks missed the Chiefs game with a hamstring problem and is still recuperating.

There is still no place in the starting 15 for benched centre Robbie Fruean, with Ryan Crotty starting in No.13 for a second straight week.

Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Tom Marshall, Ryan Crotty, Tom Taylor, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Willi Heinz, Kieran Read (capt), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Dominic Bird, Luke Romano, Nepo Laulala, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Jimmy Tupou, Luke Whitelock, Andy Ellis, Robbie Fruean, Adam Whitelock.