McCaw, Carter back for opener
All Black legends Dan Carter and Richie McCaw will both be in the starting XV when the Crusaders open the 2015 Super Rugby season against the Rebels in Christchurch on Friday.
McCaw will start for the Crusaders for the first time in 2015, in one of three changes that Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has made to the starting line-up that played a warm-up game against the Reds in Brisbane last week.
McCaw starts at blindside flank, with Matt Todd leading side from the openside.
The other changes are Joe Moody starting at loosehead prop and Ben Funnell at hooker.
Wyatt Crockett and Ryan Crotty also return to the mix for the first time, looking for a start off the bench on Friday.
Blackadder said the team is chomping at the bit to hit the field on Friday and get the 2015 competition underway.
"There is something special about this season, with it being our twentieth Crusade and World Cup year," Blackadder said.
"There is a real buzz within the team at the moment, they are fired up for this season and ready to get it started.
"The Rebels have always been a tough challenger for us so we know we're going to have a real battle on Friday.
"It should be a good spectacle and a great way to kick this season off," Blackadder added.
Crusaders: 15 Colin Slade, 14 Robbie Fruean, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Matt Todd (captain), 6 Richie McCaw, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Wyatt Crockett, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Ryan Crotty, 23 Nathaniel Apa.
Date: Friday, February 13
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (08.35 GMT; 21.35 AEDT)
Referee: Briant Nick (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Shane McDermott (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)
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