KEY POINTS:
Centre Casey Laulala returns from injury and No 8 Nasi Manu makes his first start in Super 14 rugby when the Crusaders host the Sharks in a top-of-the-table clash in Christchurch on Friday.
Laulala is back after a head knock against the Chiefs which ruled him out of last week' 26-22 win over the Blues.
The powerful midfielder completed impact testing successfully to be declared fit to play again.
New Zealand under-19 player Manu makes the first start after impressing for 16 minutes when he came on for the injured Mose Tuiali'i last week.
Tuiali'i has a back problem.
"It's a tough blow for Mose, but we've no doubt that Nasi will more than cover the gap that he leaves as he did last week," Crusaders coach Robbie Deans said.
Manu, 19, has become a regular member of the Crusaders match-day squad, featuring in every game since he marked his debut with a try in their 54-19 over the Bulls in Pretoria in round two.
Crusaders
Leon MacDonald, Kade Poki, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman, Sean Maitland, Stephen Brett, Andrew Ellis, Nasi Manu, Richard McCaw (captain), Kieran Read, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks.
Reserves: Ti'i, Paulo Wyatt Crockett, Ross Filipo, George Whitelock, Kahn Fotuali'i, Hamish Gard, Caleb Ralph.
- NZPA
