Carter at fullback in noteworthy Crusaders selection

Daniel Carter will play at fullback against the ACT Brumbies in Friday's Super 12 rugby match for a Crusaders team featuring a number of notable selections.

Coach Robbie Deans has named All Blacks great Andrew Mehrtens at first five-eighth for the game at Canberra Stadium, pushing Carter back to fullback where he played several games for the Canterbury NPC team last year. He also played there in the final trial against the Queensland Reds to fill a hole left by the injured Scott Hamilton.

Carter is favoured to be first five-eighth for the All Blacks against the British and Irish Lions later this year.

Veteran All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall only returned to training this week after battling a virus for almost a month but he earns a start.

There is no room in the 22 for Mose Tuiali'i, who starred for the franchise at No 8 last year and was in the All Blacks squad throughout most of 2004.

Ross Filipo starts alongside Chris Jack at lock ahead of Kevin O'Neill, while Norm Maxwell is expected to be sidelined through the early part of the competition.

Former All Blacks prop Dave Hewett is on the reserve bench, with his loosehead side of the scrum to be filled by usual tighthead Greg Somerville. Campbell Johnstone will start at tighthead.

Former Blues back Rico Gear will make his Crusaders debut on the wing while former fullback Leon MacDonald is on the bench after his stint with Japanese club Yamaha ended with semifinal defeat over the weekend.

Richie McCaw will captain the side.

Team:

Daniel Carter, Rico Gear, Casey Laulala, Aaron Mauger, Caleb Ralph, Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall, Sam Broomhall, Richie McCaw (captain), Reuben Thorne, Ross Filipo, Chris Jack, Campbell Johnstone, Corey Flynn, Greg Somerville. Reserves: Leon MacDonald, Vilimoni Delasau, Jamie Nutbrown, Sam Harding, Kevin O'Neill, Dave Hewett, Tone Kopelani.

- NZPA