The Crusaders welcome back All Blacks Kieran Read, Dan Carter and Israel Dagg for their showdown against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday night.
All three were missing from last weekend's shock 23-22 loss to the Hurricanes in Christchurch due to injuries suffered while on All Blacks duty.
But coach Todd Blackadder will be glad to have No8 Read (concussion), first-five Carter (hamstring) and fullback Dagg (ankle) back for the match at Waikato Stadium as his side's play-off hopes hang by a thread.
Wyatt Crockett, who played his 100th match for the Crusaders last weekend, has been replaced by Ben Franks at loosehead prop, with Owen Franks starting at tighthead.
Crusaders team to play the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium on Friday, kick-off 7.35pm: Israel Dagg, Adam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Wyatt Crockett, Tom Donnelly, Matt Todd, Willi Heinz, Tom Taylor, Sean Maitland.
