Former All Blacks lock Chris Jack will make his first start for the Crusaders in three years against the Waratahs in a Super 14 rugby match at Christchurch, on Saturday night.
Desperate times have arrived early for most of New Zealand's Super 14 rugby hopefuls.
Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper is banking on experience to keep his team's Super 14 rugby hopes alive as they head into Friday night's clash against the Crusaders in Wellington.
Five All Blacks have been demoted from the starting 15 while Chris Jack looks set to be injected back into Super 14 rugby when the Crusaders host the struggling Lions in Christchurch on Saturday.
The Crusaders maintained their forward momentum with a hard earned 26-19 Super 14 rugby win over the Chiefs in Hamilton.
The Chiefs want to take a leaf out of their opponents' book when they try to get their Super 14 rugby campaign back on track tomorrow night.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder is fully aware of the Chiefs strikepower out wide and the fact they will still be smarting from surrendering a big lead to lose at home to the Reds in the Super 14 rugby competition last week.
All Black lock Isaac Ross makes his return as one of two changes to the Crusaders' starting line-up to face the Chiefs in a Super 14 rugby match in Hamilton on Friday night.
All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu can't wait to resume one of New Zealand rugby's great domestic rivalries.
The jersey number might be different, but All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has the same hunger and passion of old for his first start this season for the Crusaders in their fourth round Super 14 rugby match against the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday night.
The Crusaders team to play the Blues in their Super 14 rugby match in Christchurch on Saturday is:
