The All Blacks No.8 Kieran Read will make his return to rugby via the Crusaders development team in their game against the Wellington development side in Porirua.
The Crusaders' All Blacks Kieran Read and Colin Slade. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Read is one of four All Blacks in the Crusaders Knights squad with prop Joe Moody and lock Dominic Bird also starting, while loose forward Luke Whitelock is in the reserves.
The entire starting forward pack is made up of current Crusaders squad or wider training group members.
In the backs, Fijian international Nemani Nadolo returns on the wing, with Fijian age group representative Seta Koroitamana taking the other wing.
The Crusaders have a bye from Super Rugby this week.
