Big guns back for Crusaders

Watch the Crusaders v Highlanders, Saturday May 17 live on Sky Sports 3 from 8.30am

Last updated: 15th May 2008

Dan Carter is back in action for the Crusaders

Carter: Crusaders start

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Dan Carter's return at fly-half is one of seven changes made by Crusaders coach Robbie Deans to his starting XV for Saturday's Super 14 match against the Highlanders.

Carter began last weekend's match against the Reds on the bench but produced an influential 25 minute spell at Suncorp Stadium to prove he has recovered from an ankle injury suffered at the end of March.

Also returning to the starting line-up, for what is in effect a dead rubber match, are scrum-half Andrew Ellis, lock Ali Williams, prop Ben Franks and hooker Corey Flynn - all began last weekend's match on the bench.

Veteran loose forward Reuben Thorne has also recovered from a broken knuckle and takes over from blindside flanker Kieran Read, while Caleb Ralph is preferred to Casey Laulala at centre.

Saturday's game will be Thorne's 127th for the Crusaders, tying the record of Highlanders' Anton Oliver for the most appearances by any player for a single New Zealand Super Rugby franchise.

Ralph record

Ralph, who like Thorne will leave for a Japanese club at the end of the championship, is playing the 135th match of his Super Rugby career.

The former Chiefs and Blues player will be just one game behind the competition record-holder, the 136 games of Brumbies great George Gregan.

Veteran winger Ralph is also just one try behind Doug Howlett's Super Rugby try-scoring record of 59.

The Crusaders have already earned the right to host one of next week's semi-finals after securing top spot, while the Highlanders, 12th going into the game, were out of the running long before this weekend's game.

"The Highlanders have always been a particularly difficult opponent for us," said Deans.

"There's a lot of history obviously, between the two South Island regions, and the derby element has always added a bit of heat to the contest. Saturday night will be no different."

Crusaders: 15 Leon MacDonald; 14 Kade Poki, 13 Caleb Ralph, 12 Stephen Brett, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andrew Ellis; 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Reuben Thorne, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Ti'i Paulo, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Kieran Read, 19 Nasi Manu, 20 Kahn Fotuali'i, 21 Tim Bateman, 22 Casey Laulala.