Zac Guildford is poised to make his Super Rugby playing return this weekend but Crusaders playmaker Dan Carter has confirmed he is unavailable for next month’s trip to South Africa due to the pending birth of his first child.
All Blacks winger Guildford has been named on the reserve bench for Saturday’s match against the Southern Kings in Christchurch, in one of four changes to the side who beat the Bulls 41-19 in Christchurch last weekend.
The 24-year-old withdrew from the Crusaders in January after an alcohol-related incident and only returned to the squad late last week.
Under threat of losing his New Zealand Rugby Union contract, Guildford sought treatment for alcoholism and has vowed to improve his off-field behaviour.
There are two changes to the starting 15, where All Black Luke Romano returns at lock following a rib injury while Willi Heinz is named at halfback. Lock Dominic Bird and halfback Andy Ellis drop to the reserve bench.
Guildford takes Adam Whitelock’s place among the reserves while Codie Taylor comes onto the bench for Ben Funnell, who is serving a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle against the Bulls.
Meanwhile, All Blacks five-eighth Carter confirmed on Thursday he won’t travel to South Africa for the Crusaders’ games against the Stormers and Sharks.
He will remain at home to be with his wife, former New Zealand hockey international Honor Carter, who is expecting their first child in April.
Team: Israel Dagg, Tom Marshall, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Johnny McNicholl, Dan Carter, Willi Heinz, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Res: Codie Taylor, Joe Moody, Dominic Bird, Luke Whitelock, Andy Ellis, Tyler Bleyendaal, Zac Guildford.