Zac Guildford makes his first start after a four-week suspension

The Crusaders coaches have announced the team to play the Chiefs in Napier this Friday, and it includes a number of changes from the team which met the Highlanders last weekend. Four new players have been brought into the starting fifteen – Corey Flynn at hooker, Owen Franks at prop, Luke Romano at lock, and Zac Guildford on the wing.

There have also been a number of position changes. Ben Franks will move to loosehead prop as his brother fills the tighthead position. Tom Donnelly has moved from left lock to right lock. Israel Dagg has moved to the right wing to accommodate his fellow Hawkes Bay team mate Zac Guildford on the left wing. Sean Maitland, who played on the right wing last week, will move to fullback.

Starting XV:
1. Ben Franks
2. Corey Flynn
3. Owen Franks
4. Luke Romano
5. Tom Donnelly
6. George Whitelock
7. Matt Todd
8. Kieran Read (Capt.)
9. Andy Ellis (Vice Capt.)
10. Tyler Bleyendaal
11. Zac Guildford
12. Adam Whitelock
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Israel Dagg
15. Sean Maitland

Replacements:
16. Quentin MacDonald
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Sam Whitelock
19. Luke Whitelock
20. Willi Heinz
21. Tom Taylor
22. Tom Marshall