Former All Black captain Reuben Thorne is reportedly set to pull on the boots again after an SOS from Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder.

Thorne is likely to make the bench for Sunday’s Western Force game in Perth with Brad Thorn ruled out of the Crusaders three-week tour with a calf problem, and fellow lock Sam Whitelock still on the injury list.

All Blacks team-mate Andy Ellis also reportedly fractured his right thumb in the defeat to the Highlanders in Nelson.

Crusaders meet the Force at 12:05am on Sunday morning in Perth.