The Crusaders will have three of their big guns back from injury for the blockbuster Super Rugby clash with table toppers the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday night.
No.8 Kieran Read (concussion), five-eighth Dan Carter (hamstring) and fullback Israel Dagg (ankle) have all been passed fit to take their places in the starting 15.
All three picked up their injuries in the All Blacks’ 3-0 series whitewash of Ireland in June.
Read’s return means skipper Richie McCaw moves back to openside flanker, with Matt Todd going to the bench.
Carter and Dagg replace Tom Taylor and Sean Maitland respectively, both of whom will also be among the reserves.
Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Adam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks. Res: Quentin MacDonald, Wyatt Crockett, Tom Donnelly, Matt Todd, Willi Heinz, Tom Taylor, Sean Maitland.