McCaw on Crusaders' bench
All Black captain Richie McCaw will return this week, but will be playing off the bench for the Crusaders.
The seven-time champion Crusaders head to Levin on Friday to play the Hurricanes in their final pre-season match before the 2014 Super Rugby competition begins.
Fellow All Black Matt Todd will start at No.7.
McCaw is one of 26 players named by coach Todd Blackadder for the match.
Fellow All Black Luke Whitelock gets his first match of the season at No.8, with Blackadder saying No.8 Kieran Read will be available for the Crusaders' Round Two game against the Blues in Auckland.
Johnny McNicholl starts his first game on the wing.
Colin Slade has been handed the starting flyhalf role, with Tyler Bleyendaal to deputise from the bench.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Ryan Crotty (captain), 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Nafi Tuitavake, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements – from: Corey Flynn, Tim Perry, Nepo Laulala, Samuel Whitelock, Richie McCaw, Andy Ellis, Tyler Bleyendaal, Rob Thompson, Zac Guildford, Reynold Lee-Lo, Jordan Taufua.
Date: Friday, February 14
Venue: Levin Domain, Levin
Kick-off: 16.00 (03.00 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser
