Rugby: McCaw and Muliaina return, Carter out

Richie McCaw. Photo / Getty Images

All Black captain Richie McCaw will play his first game of the season on Friday, after being named on the Crusaders bench to face the Chiefs.

McCaw has missed the first eight weeks of the competition due to a stress fracture in his foot.

The game also marks the return of All Black fullback Mils Muliaina for the Chiefs, who has been out of action for four weeks.

Along with McCaw's return the Crusaders made two changes to their starting XV which beat the Bulls 27-0 in Timaru last weekend for the local derby at Mt Maunganui.

Dan Carter was orginally named in the starting XV he re-aggravated his hamstring injury at training and will miss Friday's clash. Matt Berquist will start at first five-eighth once again while Tom Marshall comes onto the bench.

In other changes Kahn Fotuali'i gets his first start of the season, replacing Andy Ellis at halfback.

Owen Franks starts at tighthead prop, with his brother Ben moving to loosehead and Wyatt Crockett moving to the reserves bench.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said the Crusaders are gearing up for a big challenge against the Chiefs.

"These derby matches are especially important in this season's competition due to the conference format. Traditionally they always carry extra spice and it will be a tough, physical match up there," he said.

"I was pleased with what we achieved against the Bulls in Timaru last weekend but we still have plenty to work on and I know the guys are looking forward to doing that."

Muliaina's return is much needed for a Chiefs side who have won just one game with their star fullback on the sidelines.

Muliaina missed the last four matches with fractures in his back and has not played since the home win against the Rebels at Waikato Stadium on March 5, but has proven his fitness to coach Ian Foster this week and been named at fullback as the Chiefs look to turn around their ailing season.

They are 11th overall and fourth in the New Zealand conference with just two wins from seven matches.

"We have had a really solid week's preparation as we get ready for this game and then our two week tour," Foster said.

"The Crusaders have a strong playing roster and are playing as well as I have seen them play and are no doubt very confident for this game. We are going to have to be strong and accurate in our play to combat them and we have focused hard on that all week."

Winger Sitiveni Sivivatu will play his 83rd match for the Chiefs, becoming the franchise's most-capped player ahead of former prop Michael Collins.

Crusaders:
1. Ben Franks, 2. Corey Flynn, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brad Thorn, 5. Chris Jack, 6. George Whitelock, 7. Matt Todd, 8. Kieran Read (c), 9. Kahn Fotuali'i, 10. Matt Berquist, 11. Zac Guildford, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 13. Robbie Fruean, 14. Sean Maitland, 15. Israel Dagg. Reserves: 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Luke Romano, 19. Richie McCaw, 20. Andy Ellis, 21. Tom Marshall, 22. Adam Whitelock.

Chiefs:
1. Toby Smith, 2. Hika Elliot, 3. Ben Afeaki, 4. Romana Graham, 5. Isaac Ross, 6. Liam Messam, 7. Tanerau Latimer, 8. Fritz Lee, 9. Brendon Leonard, 10. Mike Delany, 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu, 12. Dwayne Sweeney, 13.Richard Kahui, 14. Lelia Masaga, 15. Mils Muliaina.

Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Nathan White, Craig Clarke, Scott Waldrom, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tana Umaga, Tim Nanai-Williams.

- HERALD ONLINE/NZPA