All Black captain Richie McCaw will use the low-key setting of Timaru to ease himself into his 10th season of professional rugby.
McCaw has been named on the Crusaders bench for the pre-season game against the Highlanders at Alpine Energy Stadium tomorrow evening.
He will be wearing a most unfamiliar jersey number, 25 instead of his usual seven, and will be entitled to look a little rusty after the better part of two months off.
McCaw will have some prominent faces alongside him on a bench that is almost big enough for a second XV.
There are three other All Blacks - lock Brad Thorn, flanker Kieran Read and halfback Andy Ellis - as well as new Hurricanes recruit Thomas Waldrom.
Two Highlanders from last season, hooker Jason Macdonald and lock Isaac Ross, will also be on the bench against their former side.
The Crusaders have named a strong backline, with All Black fullback Leon MacDonald behind exciting wingers Kade Poki and Sean Maitland and former All Black centre Casey Laulala, while Stephen Brett will be under scrutiny at first five in the absence of Daniel Carter.
Former Otago loose forward George Whitelock takes McCaw's place on the side of the scrum, with Ross Filipo providing the experience in a green tight five.
The Highlanders have named what appears to be a virtual first string XV, with All Black halfback Jimmy Cowan embarking on his first season as captain.
The only contentious position in the backline is first five-eighth, where Daniel Bowden starts but may make way for more accomplished goal-kicker Mathew Berquist when the Super 14 starts.
Young Southlander Josh Bekhuis takes the injured Tom Donnelly's place at lock, while All Black flanker Adam Thomson will wait for a chance off the bench.
Mike Moeahu missed out on the top job but will have the consolation of coaching Otago B this season.
Moeahu, who guided Alhambra-Union to two premier club titles in three years, applied for the Otago job last year but was overlooked as the union made the surprise decision to stick with Steve Martin after a dismal season.
Moeahu, who also coaches the Otago sevens team, replaces Paul Hessian as the B coach.
He will be assisted by Andy Hunter, who coached the unbeaten Otago Development team last year.
