Cape Town - The Crusaders have opted to rest their All Black front row for Saturday's Super Rugby match against the Hurricanes in Wellington (kick-off 09:35 SA time).
Advice from medical staff influenced the Crusaders' decision to rest All Black front rankers Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Owen Franks.
Moody, Taylor and Franks, who started all three Tests in the drawn series against the British and Irish Lions, were omitted from the Crusaders team because the coaches recognised it would be counterproductive to pitch them back into Super Rugby action so quickly.
Elsewhere, head coach Scott Robertson named some of the All Blacks who have returned from the British and Irish Lions tour this week, including Wyatt Crockett at No 1, Luke Romano and Scott Barrett at lock, Kieran Read at No 8, Israel Dagg at fullback and Sam Whitelock on the bench.
Matt Todd and Jack Goodhue, who were included as injury cover in the All Blacks squad, will also take starting spots and Todd will captain the team.
Teams:
Hurricanes
15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara (captain), 8 Brad Shields, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Mark Abbott, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Ben May
Subsitutes: 16 James O'Reilly, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Loni Uhila, 19 Reed Prinsep, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22Wes Goosen, 23 Cory Jane
Crusaders
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 David Havili, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd (captain), 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Substitutes: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Jed Brown, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Sean Wainui