All Blacks star Dan Carter is back at five-eighth for the Crusaders after coach Todd Blackadder wielded the axe following last week's shock Super Rugby loss to Melbourne Rebels.
Carter shifts in one spot for Saturday's clash with the struggling Blues in one of five personnel changes to the starting side beaten 28-19 in Melbourne.
After starting recent matches, goal-kicking five eighth Tom Taylor was ruled out with a thigh strain forcing the switch, with Ryan Crotty taking over from Carter at inside centre.
In other changes to the backline, All Blacks Israel Dagg and Andy Ellis return at fullback and halfback respectively after being rested on the bench and Adam Whitelock starts on the wing.
But All Blacks No.8 Kieran Read and Luke Whitelock both miss the game with injuries.
Read hurt his pelvis after being dropped by his lineout lifters against the Rebels and Whitelock is recovering from a head knock.
Their absences mean All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw switches to the back of the scrum with Matt Todd reinstated at openside flanker.
Full squad: Israel Dagg, Adam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Richie McCaw (capt), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Samuel Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Res: Quentin MacDonald, Ben Franks, Tom Donnelly, Brendan O'Connor, Willi Heinz, Tyler Bleyendaal, Tom Marshall.
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