Crusaders v Lions: Teams

The Crusaders have opted to rest five of their All Blacks for the visit of the Lions to Christchurch on Saturday.

Dan Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Brad Thorn, Kieran Read and George Whitelock are all named on the bench, alongside the returning Chris Jack.

As a result Colin Slade, Ben Franks, Sam Whitelock, Thomas Waldrom and Jonathan Poff are handed rare starts.

Centre Robbie Fruean is also dropped to the bench, with Adam Whitelock getting a run out.

The winless Lions have also rung the changes for the clash, with coach Dick Muir desperate to turn his side's fortunes around.

In the backs Wigan Pekeur, Burton Francis and Jano Vermaak get the nod ahead of Tonderai Chavanga, Carlos Spencer and JP Joubert.

JC Janse van Rensburg and Ross Geldenhuys come into the front row, while lock George Earle is promoted from the bench.

"We need to show the sort of character expected from a team of this calibre - and we're looking forward to the match against the Crusaders this weekend," Muir said.

"We have had a good week training and really prepared well," said Muir, "but that said, so did we last week before that loss.

"We have done a few things differently this week and are confident."

Crusaders: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Adam Whitelock, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Jonathan Poff, 6 Richie McCaw (captain), 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Chris Jack, 19 George Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Daniel Carter, 22 Robbie Fruean.

Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Wigan Pekeur, 13 Walter Venter, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Burton Francis, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 George Earle, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Charles Emslie, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Willem Stoltz, 19 Robert Kruger / Jacques Lombaard, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Carlos Spencer, 22 Michael Killian.