Dan Carter will start at inside centre in one of five changes to the Crusaders team to face the Chiefs in Christchurch on Saturday.

The only change in the backline sees Carter take over from Ryan Crotty, who is still recovering from a head injury suffered against the Highlanders last week. 

Among the forwards, coach Todd Blackadder has again rotated Richie McCaw and Matt Todd, with McCaw starting on the side of the scrum and Todd shifting to the bench. 

Wyatt Crockett and Nepo Laulala will start in the front row ahead of Joe Moody and Owen Franks, who will provide cover from the bench.

And in the second row, lock Luke Romano returns in place of Jimmy Tupou. 

Crusaders – 15 Israel Dagg, 14 David Havili, 13 Keiron Fonotia, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Subs: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Joe Moody 18 Owen Franks, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Tom Taylor, 23 Nafi Tuitavake.

Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images