It's straight back into the fray for Matt Todd, the Crusaders flanker making himself available to start for defending champions Canterbury in their ITM Cup match against Taranaki on Friday.
The other Crusaders in the starting line-up for the game at AMI Stadium are halfback Willi Heinz, who will make his debut as captain, hooker Ben Funnell, blindside flanker Luke Whitelock, No8 Jordan Taufua, first-five Tyler Bleyendaal and centre Adam Whitelock. Wing Patrick Osborne is back from Chiefs duty and former All Blacks halfback Andy Ellis is on the reserves bench.
George Whitelock is having a rest, with Dominic Bird (pectoral), Corey Flynn (knee), Robbie Fruean (heart surgery), Nasi Manu (foot), Johnny McNicholl (leg), Colin Slade (hamstring), Codie Taylor (pectoral) and Tom Taylor (knee) all unavailable.
Four players - Matt Symons, Milford Keresoma, Rob Thompson and Jamie Verran - will make their first starts for Canterbury. Sione Faletau, Richie Mo'unga and Marty Swart may also get their first Canterbury cap if they come off the bench.
Head coach Scott Robertson said: "We are fortunate to have good depth in most positions in this squad. We may be missing some of our more experienced players this week, but I am sure that the new players will take this opportunity with both hands and really rise to the challenge.
