All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter will come off the bench for the Crusaders in their pre-season match against the Hurricanes in Eketahuna on Saturday.
Carter is one of the few All Blacks selected for the game, but will have to bide his time as Tom Taylor gets a rare start in the pivot position. He has been struggling in recent weeks with a calf strain, but is expected to get some game time as he continues to work his way back from injury.
Billy Guyton will have first opportunity to impress in the No 9 jersey when he lines up against his former side. With Willi Heinz ruled out of the season and Andy Ellis still a couple weeks off a return, Guyton will be expected to step in and fill the void.
Meanwhile, Blair Prinsep, Jack Stratton and David Havilli will all play their first match for the Crusaders when they come off the bench in Saturday's clash.
Crusaders – 15 Richie Mo’unga, 14 Nafi Tuitavake, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Kieron Fonotia, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Tom Taylor, 9 Billy Guyton, 8 Jimmy Tupou, 7 Matt Todd (c), 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Codie Taylor, 18 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 19 Blair Prinsep, 20 Luke Whitelock, 21 Jack Stratton, 22 Tom Sanders, 23 Dan Carter, 24 Jed Brown, 25 Scott Barrett, 26 Alex Hodgman, 27 Nathaniel Apa, 28 David Havilli, 29 Rob Thompson, 30 George Bridge.
Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
