The Crusaders have made five changes to their starting lineup to face the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

Coach Todd Blackadder has opted to rotate his props that started against the Vodacom Bulls, so Wyatt Crockett will start at loosehead and Nepo Laulala at tighthead ahead of Joe Moody and Owen Franks.

On the side of the scrum Matt Todd comes in at No 7, with Richie McCaw dropping to the reserves.

In the backline, Colin Slade returns to flyhalf in the absence of Dan Carter, who returned home for the birth of his second child, while Tom Taylor is dropped in favour of David Havili. 

In a positonal switch, Ryan Crotty moves from outside to inside centre, with Kieron Fonotia moving into the outside channel to assist Havili on the right wing. 

Crusaders – 15 Israel Dagg, 14 David Havili, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 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 Richie McCaw, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Tom Taylor, 23 Nafi Tuitavake.

Photo: Rob Jefferies/Getty Images