Hunt played four seasons for the Highlanders from 2017 after an injury crisis brought him into the side.
He ended up playing 44 games over four seasons, making the All Blacks in 2017 and his test debut the following year against Japan.
He left the Highlanders last year to join the Blues but has not taken the field for the franchise this season.
Issues with concussion have blighted his year and he has been ruled out for the season.
It is a shame for Hunt (26), who hails from the North Shore, as he was in fine form last year and, although the Blues loose forward trio is stacked with talent, his experience and ability would have been an asset.
The Blues will again line up Dalton Papalii on the openside flank and he has also been given the co-captaincy.
With Patrick Tuiopulotu injured and Tom Robinson also out with concussion, the co-captaincy of the Blues has been given to Papalii and centre Rieko Ioane.
Hooker Kurt Eklund returns after a three-week suspension.
The Crusaders have lost two of their past three games, but coach Scott Robertson had brought back some of the forwards who did not play in the loss to the Chiefs last week.
Cullen Grace is back at No8 and veteran lock Sam Whitelock returns. George Bower will start at prop, while young prop Tamaiti Williams may come on off the bench.
The Blues need to win this game to stay in contention but will have to improve their discipline and show some more enterprise on attack.
They have switched Harry Plummer to first five-eighth after Otere Black had a sterile game against the Highlanders.
