The Crusaders have made one change for their Super Rugby match against the Force in Christchurch on Friday, with Kieran Read back at No 8.

Read, who hasn't played since the 18-17 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton on 19 April because of concussion and illness, replaces Luke Whitelock, who moves to the reserves in place of older brother George.

Tim Perry, Ben Funnell and Nepo Laulala will once again start in the front row, with Andy Ellis keeping the No 9 jersey.

The Force have made two changes to the side that saw off the Lions in Perth. Brynard Stander replaces the injured Ben McCalman, with Angus Cottrell shifting to No 8.

In the backline utility-back Patrick Dellit replaces Luke Burton who is currently on duty with the Australian U20’s, with Chris Tuatara-Morrison shifting to inside centre.

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

Force – 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Patrick Dellit, 12 Chris Tuatara-Morrison, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Ian Prior, 8  Angus Cottrell, 7 Matt Hodgson (c), 6 Brynard Stander, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Kieran Longbottom, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan.
Subs: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Ryan Hodson, 21 Justin Turner, 22 Zack Holmes, 23 Dillyn Leyds.

Photo: Martin Hunter/Getty Images