Sean Maitland has been bracketed on the wing with Adam Whitelock in the Crusaders line-up to play the Reds in Sunday’s Super Rugby match in Christchurch.

Maitland has been out with a high ankle injury since the Crusaders’ 31-24 win over the Stormers on April 12, but will start against the defending Super Rugby champions subject to his fitness after Thursday’s training.

All Blacks’ pivot Dan Carter again wears the No.12 jersey as he works his way back to full fitness from a groin injury, with Tom Taylor running the backline from five-eighth.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw features off the bench again, as the Crusaders look to exact a measure of revenge for the Reds’ 18-13 Super Rugby grand final win last year.

Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland/Adam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean, Dan Carter, Zac Guildford, Tom Taylor, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Tom Donnelly, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett, Samuel Whitelock, Richie McCaw, Willi Heinz, Ryan Crotty, Tom Marshall.