Crotty returns for Crusaders

All Blacks centre Ryan Crotty has recovered from a hamstring injury and will start for the Crusaders in their quarter-final against the Highlanders in Christchurch on Saturday.

Crotty's inclusion is one of five changes and three positional changes Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson made to his starting fifteen that played the Hurricanes last weekend.

It is a fresh front row of Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Owen Franks that will face the Highlanders pack. Wyatt Crockett, Mike Alaalatoa and Ben Funnell will cover from the bench.

Sam Whitelock returns to the starting line-up to captain the team, from the second row, and Crotty will be the vice-captain. Crotty's return sees David Havili shift back to full-back and Israel Dagg move to the wing.

Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Seta Tamanivalu, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody 
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 George Bridge

Date: Saturday, July 22
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:35 local (07:35 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe, Mike Fraser
TMO: Glenn Newman