In a surprise move from the Crusaders, first-year squad member Tom Taylor has been named at first-five, with Ryan Crotty, now fully recovered from his hamstring injury, named on the reserves bench.
The move points to a Crusaders plan in unlocking a Stormers defence which is among the best in the competition. The Super Rugby leaders, who are unbeaten, kept the Highlanders tryless in their 21-6 victory in Dunedin last weekend, with Jamie Joseph's men scoreless in the second half.
Todd Blackadder's other changes are more predictable. He has swapped the Franks brothers so that Ben takes the No 3 jersey from Owen. Lock Tom Donnelly comes back into the starting XV, pushing Luke Romano to the reserves.
The Crusaders returned from their South African tour, where they beat the Lions and lost narrowly to the Bulls, earlier this week.
Crusaders team to play the Stormers at Christchurch Stadium at 7.35pm on Saturday: Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Dan Carter, Zac Guildford, Tom Taylor, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Tom Donnelly, Ben Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Quentin McDonald, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Ryan Crotty, Tom Marshall.
