All Blacks winger Zac Guildford will earn his first start for the Crusaders this year in Friday’s Super Rugby match against the Chiefs in Napier.
Guildford played the second half in last week’s 24-27 loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin, making his comeback after serving a four-match suspension imposed by the New Zealand Rugby Union for alcohol-fuelled misdemeanours in Rarotonga last November.
Tighthead prop Owen Franks also gets his first start for the season, with big brother Ben moving to the loosehead in place of Wyatt Crockett.
In other changes up front, All Blacks hooker Corey Flynn replaces Quentin MacDonald, while Luke Romano starts at lock ahead of Sam Whitelock.
Crusaders: Sean Maitland, Israel Dagg, Robbie Fruean, Adam Whitelock, Zac Guildford, Tyler Bleyendaal, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (capt), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Tom Donnelly, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks. Res: Quentin MacDonald, Wyatt Crockett, Sam Whitelock, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Tom Taylor, Tom Marshall.