The Crusaders team to face the Waratahs has been named, with the return of Richie McCaw to the match 22, albeit via the bench, the main talking point.
The 31-year-old All Black skipper, last seen in a rugby shirt when raising the Webb Ellis trophy last October, has been sidelined since then by a troublesome foot injury, but now appears ready to finally return to the fray. Todd Blackadder has made a number of other changes to his side for the trip to Sydney, with Luke Romano coming in to replace Sam Whitelock in the second row and Owen Franks coming in for Wyatt Crockett. Aside from Carter, rookie hooker Ben Funnell has also been included on the bench and could make his first ever appearance for the team if he gets on.
The game kicks off at around 4pm Australian time on Sunday.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Adam Whitelock, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Dan Carter, Zac 11 Guildford, 10 Tom Taylor, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Luke Romano, 4 Tom Donnelly, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Ben Franks
Substitutes: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Samuel Whitelock, 19 Richie McCaw, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Ryan Crotty, 22 Tom Marshall
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Anyone know whats up with Maitland?