Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has made a number of changes to his starting team for this match, including the highly-anticipated return of experienced All Blacks and Super Rugby centurions Owen Franks and Israel Dagg.

Franks makes his return from an Achilles injury and joins Ben Funnell and Tim Perry as the starting front row. At lock, Scott Barrett and Quinten Strange earn starts this week, and Luke Romano will provide cover in the reserves. Regular captain Sam Whitelock will be rested this week, meaning flanker Matt Todd will take over the captaincy for this match. 

In the back row, Tom Sanders shifts from the blindside to number eight, making way for 23 year-old Ethan Blackadder to make his Super Rugby debut in the number six jersey on Saturday night. 

Robertson has also reshuffled the back line, which sees Manasa Mataele shift from the right to left wing for this match. Dagg slots in on the right wing, having recovered from his knee injury, and George Bridge will move to the fullback position. Mitchell Drummond will start at scrum-half, and Mike Delany at fly-half, with Mitch Hunt to provide first-five cover for Delany on the bench. 

In the reserves, scrum-half Jack Stratton could be set to make his Super Rugby debut on Saturday night, if called upon from the bench.