First-five Colin Slade will make his debut for the Crusaders in their opening Super 14 match against the Chiefs in Christchurch on Saturday.

Slade starts in the number 10 jersey vacated by All Black Dan Carter with Tim Bateman outside him, while Stephen Brett is in the reserves.

Corey Flynn starts for the champions at hooker having recovered from the broken arm he suffered on the All Blacks end of the year tour, while Brad Thorn and Ross Filipo are the locks and former Hurricane Thomas Waldrom starts at number eight.

Leon MacDonald, starts at fullback after missing most of last season with concussion.

The Crusaders/Chiefs match kicks off at 4:30pm on Saturday.

In other Super 14 matches this weekend: the Highlanders meet the Brumbies on Friday at 6:35pm then at 10:45pm the Blues meet the Force Force, early Saturday morning at 5:10am the Lions hosts the Cheetahs.

Also on Saturday at 4:30pm the Crusaders plays the Chiefs, the Hurricanes head into their opening game against the Waratahs at Westpac Stadium at 6:35pm on Saturday, while in South Africa on Sunday morning at three, Stormers meets the Sharks and at 5:10am the Bulls hosts the Reds.