The side takes on the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night and Crusaders assistant coach Aaron Mauger confirmed yesterday All Black first five-eighth Dan Carter will not play.
Carter picked up a leg injury in the loss against the Rebels last Friday night and was forced off.
He went for a light run yesterday and was still feeling the injury.
The injury was not related to Carter's previous leg problems and Mauger said he should be right for the following week, when the Crusaders take on the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Carter (32) has actually played only once at Forsyth Barr Stadium - for the Crusaders in 2013.
In 2012, he was injured when the Crusaders and All Blacks played there and in 2013 he missed the Bledisloe Cup test because of injury.
Last year he was on sabbatical for the first half of the year when the Crusaders and All Blacks played at the stadium.
Mauger confirmed the unavailability of Carter will lead to moving Colin Slade to the No 10 jersey after the former Highlander played fullback against the Rebels.
Coming back into selection consideration is fullback Israel Dagg, who did not play against the Rebels.
Halfback Andy Ellis and winger Nemani Nadolo may also front as they have joined the squad after finishing their seasons in Japan.
All Black forwards Kieran Read and Sam Whitelock will not play until mid-March.
Mauger said the side was hurting after the defeat to the Rebels, in what he described as a disappointing performance.
''There were certain aspects of the performance we were not happy with. Just the intensity around the collision area, the work around the ball, the physicality approach the Rebels brought,'' Mauger said.
''The effort from the guys at times was great and we created some opportunities across the park. But the attitude in the collision area, their desire was just better than ours.''
Mauger said the side had to be a bit more patient when on attack and sharper across the park if it wanted to compete against the Highlanders on Saturday night.
The Highlanders had the bye last week, as did the Crusaders in the opening round last year, but Mauger said it had little impact on the overall competition.
He said the Highlanders were likely to be primed and ready for the match.
''They are a tough, well-organised side who would have managed themselves well last week. We are expecting nothing less than a tough challenge."
Both sides will name their teams tomorrow.
The only certain non-starter for the Highlanders is winger Richard Buckman, who is battling a knee injury.
