Dan Carter, Kieran Read, Israel Dagg and Nemani Nadolo have all returned to the Crusaders' starting line-up for their match against the Blues in Christchurch.

Carter slots in at inside centre with Colin Slade retaining the flyhalf role, while Ryan Crotty moves to outside centre. Israel Dagg has recovered from injury to take the No 15 jersey. Nemani Nadolo is back from international duties in Fiji to start on the left wing with Kieron Fonotia on the right.

In the forwards, Ben Funnell and Owen Franks start in place of Corey Flynn and Nepo Laulala, who will be ready to inject some energy off the bench. Read's return to No 8 means Luke Whitelock is also among the substitutes.

In the only change to the Blues' starting XV, Charles Piutau returns from injury to start on the left wing in place of George Moala.

Hooker Keven Mealamu will earn his 150th Super Rugby cap for the Blues on Saturday.

Crusaders – 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Kieron Fonotia, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Subs: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Luke Whitelock, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Tom Taylor, 23 Johnny McNicholl.

Blues – 15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Pita Ahki, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Luke Braid (c), 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 James Parsons, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Sam Prattley, 19 Hayden Triggs, 20 Peter Saili, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Francis Saili, 23 George Moala.

Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images