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McCaw to lead Crusaders

Cape Town - Tyler Bleyendaal will start at flyhalf for the seven-time champion Crusaders in their Vodacom Super Rugby opener against the defending champion Chiefs in Christchurch on Friday.

Kick-off is at 08:35 SA time.

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With Dan Carter on a sabbatical and Colin Slade suffering from a calf strain, coach Todd Blackadder has opted for Bleyendaal ahead of All Black Tom Taylor, who is on the bench.

Meanwhile, wing Zac Guildford - who is off to France following the tournament - has been left out of the match 23 altogether, with Johnny McNicholl and Nafi Tuitavake preferred on the wings.

Teams:

Crusaders
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nafi Tuitavake, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Tim Perry

Substitutes: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Tom Taylor, 23 Rob Thompson

Chiefs
15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden (captain), 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Tevita Koloamatangi, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Michael Fitzgerald, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Rhys Marshall, 1 Jamie Mackintosh

Substitutes: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Pauliasi Manu, 18 Ben Afeaki, 19 Matt Symons/Liam Squire, 20 Nick Crosswell, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Andrew Horrell/Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 James Lowe

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