All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will start for the Crusaders for the first time in 2015 in their Super Rugby opener against the Melbourne Rebels in Christchurch.
In two other changes coach Todd Blackadder has made to the team that lost a warm-up game 35-12 against the Reds in Brisbane last week, Joe Moody will start at loosehead prop and Ben Funnell at hooker.
All Blacks Wyatt Crockett and Ryan Crotty also return to the mix for the first time, looking for a start off the bench on Friday night.
Blackadder says the team is chomping at the bit to hit the field at the start of their "20th Crusade" in a Rugby World Cup year.
"So there is a real buzz within the team at the moment, they are fired up for this season and ready to get it started," he said.
"The Rebels have always been a tough challenger for us so we know we're going to have a real battle on Friday night. It should be a good spectacle and a great way to kick this season off."
Crusaders: Colin Slade, Robbie Fruean, Kieron Fonotia, Tom Taylor, Johnny McNicholl, Daniel Carter, Mitchell Drummond, Luke Whitelock, Matt Todd (captain), Richie McCaw, Dominic Bird, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Joe Moody. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman, Wyatt Crockett, Scott Barrett, Jordan Taufua, Billy Guyton, Ryan Crotty, Nathaniel Apa.
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