The Crusaders will open the 2015 Super Rugby season this Friday night when they host the Melbourne Rebels in Christchurch.
Richie McCaw will start for the Crusaders for the first time in 2015, in one of 3 changes that head coach Todd Blackadder has made to the starting line-up that played a warm-up game against the Reds in Brisbane last week.
The other changes are Joe Moody starting at No 1 and Ben Funnell at hooker.
Wyatt Crockett and Ryan Crotty also return to the mix for the first time, looking for a start off the bench on Friday night.
Blackadder said the team is champing at the bit to hit the field on Friday night and get the 2015 competition underway.
“There is something special about this season, with it being our 20th Crusade and Rugby World Cup year. So there is a real buzz within the team at the moment, they are fired up for this season and ready to get it started.
“The Rebels have always been a tough challenger for us so we know we’re going to have a real battle on Friday night. It should be a good spectacle and a great way to kick this season off,” Blackadder said.
Crusaders: 15 Colin Slade, 14 Robbie Fruean, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Matt Todd (Captain), 6 Richie McCaw, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Wyatt Crockett, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Ryan Crotty, 23 Nathaniel Apa.
Date: Friday 13 February
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-Off: 08:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 21:35 AEDT, 06:35 GMT)
Referee: Briant Nick (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Shane McDermott (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)