All Blacks captain Kieran Read returns to Super Rugby in what shapes as a momentous occasion for the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday.
Read will start at No.8 against the Highlanders in his first first class game since undergoing back surgery in December.
The injury has sidelined the 32-year for all of 2018 until a 40-minute provincial hitout last week.
However, he'll share the limelight with 35-year-old reserve prop Wyatt Crockett, who will become the first player to reach 200 Super Rugby games.
The defending champions could make it a night to celebrate as a team too.
They need to pick up just one bonus point to assure themselves of the top qualifying berth for the play-offs with a week to spare.
On a 10-match winning streak and back close to full strength, their last loss came in round five when toppled 25-17 by the Highlanders in Dunedin.
A clutch of All Blacks involved in the Test series sweep of France are back in the starting lineup with the exception of hooker Codie Taylor, who is on the bench.
Such is the depth at Scott Robertson's disposal, there is no room in his 23 for All Blacks trio Israel Dagg, Luke Romano and Tim Perry, nor new Wallabies flanker Pete Samu.
Read expects to last until halftime but not much longer.
"I think starting, and getting the opportunity to empty the tank ... I will try that," he told journalists.
"In terms of the back it feels really good. That's a bonus."
The fifth-placed Highlanders are also close to full strength as they seek to bounce back from a humbling 45-22 loss to the Chiefs in Suva.
All Blacks bruiser Liam Squire is close to overcoming a shoulder injury and is bracketed with Elliot Dixon.
CRUSADERS: David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Sam Whitelock (capt), Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody. Res: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Ala'alatoa, Quinten Strange, Jordan Taufua, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Manasa Mataele.
HIGHLANDERS: Ben Smith (co-capt), Waisake Naholo, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Richard Buckman, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, James Lentjes, Liam Squire/Elliot Dixon, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Siate Tokolahi, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Ash Dixon (co-capt), Aki Seiuli, Tyrel Lomax, Pari Pari Parkinson, Shannon Frizell, Kayne Hammington, Josh Ioane, Fletcher Smith.
