Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder continues to drop bombshells with All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg the latest casualty.
Dagg, who recently re-signed with the Crusaders for four years, pacy wing Johnny McNicholl and first five-eighths Tyler Bleyendaal have all paid for error-ridden performances in the loss to the Chiefs in Christchurch last Friday.
The three have been demoted for the clash with the Blues in Auckland on Friday night, with Dagg getting a spot on the bench.
Their places in the starting 15 have gone to Colin Slade, Rob Thompson and Tom Taylor respectively.
"Izzy had one of those nights where he probably tried too hard and made a lot of mistakes," Blackadder said.
"Johnny had a poor game by his own standard and our standards and we expected a lot more from him."
Bleyendaal's dismal goal-kicking - he missed five penalty shots against the Chiefs - counted against him.
Slade, whose career has been blighted by injuries, last appeared for the Crusaders four years ago.
The selection of newcomer Thompson means Blackadder had opted for two wings from the franchise's wider training squad, with Nafi Tuitavake getting his debut last week.
The Crusaders welcome back inspirational No.8 Kieran Read, who will assume the captaincy from Richie McCaw.
McCaw and vital midfielder Ryan Crotty both passed fitness tests after being in doubt earlier in the week.
Blackadder said both teams would be desperate for the win after suffering first-up losses.
"We know what the Blues are like at Eden Park," he said.
"We experienced that last year when they gave us a real towelling up."
The Blues won the first-round fixture at Eden Park 34-15 last year but that has been their only win in the teams' last five meetings.
Crusaders: Colin Slade, Rob Thompson, Rey Lee-Lo, Ryan Crotty, Nafi Tuitavake, Tom Taylor, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (capt), Richie McCaw, George Whitelock, Dominic Bird, Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Tim Perry. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Matt Todd, Willi Heinz, Adam Whitelock, Israel Dagg.
