Rugby: Crusaders welcome back ABs

Dan Carter. Photo / Getty Images

The Crusaders welcome back three All Blacks for their pre-season match against the Highlanders in Oamaru on Friday.

Brad Thorn, Kieran Read and Dan Carter are all set to start for the Crusaders in the side's final hitout before the Super Rugby season begins.

Corey Flynn is also in the starting squad - his first game time since injuring a calf during the ITM Cup last year.

Lock Thorn, No.8 Read and first-five Carter will be playing their first match since the All Blacks end of year tour to the United Kingdom.

Sam Whitelock, who played lock against the Rebels in Melbourne last weekend, will start the match at blindside flanker.

Crusaders:
1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Corey Flynn, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brad Thorn, 5. Chris Jack (c), 6. Sam Whitelock, 7. George Whitelock, 8. Kieran Read, 9. Andy Ellis, 10. Dan Carter, 11. Zac Guildford, 12. Adam Whitelock, 13. Robbie Fruean, 14. Tom Marshall, 15. Sean Maitland.

Reserves: Francis Smith, Ben Franks, Luke Romano, Jonathan Poff, Kahn Fotuali'i, Matt Berquist, Tom Taylor, Willi Heinz, Matt Todd, Luke Whitelock, Nic Barrett (blank jersey), Andrew Olorenshaw (blank jersey), Brendon O'Connor (blank jersey), Tyler Bleyendaal (blank jersey).

Highlanders:
1. Bronson Murray, 2. Jason Rutledge, 3. David Te Moana, 4. Jarrad Hoeata, 5. Josh Bekhuis,6. Nick Crosswell (c), 7. Alando Soakai, 8. Elliot Dixon, 9. Jimmy Cowan (vc), 10. Robbie Robinson, 11. Kade Poki, 12. Matt Saunders, 13. Siale Piutau, 14. James Paterson, 15. Ben Smith

Reserves: 16. Brayden Mitchell, 17. Chris King, 18. Joe Tuineau, 19. John Hardie, 20. Aaron Smith, 21. Ben Atiga, 22. Telusa Veainu, 23. Adam Thomson

- Herald online