Vodafone Flying Fijians flyhalf Ben Volavola will start at number 10 for the Crusaders when they take on the Queensland Reds tomorrow in their first Super Rugby pre-season match.
Richie Mo'unga will also get a chance to run at No 10 while Marty McKenzie is listed at fullback.
Big Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo is on the reserves.
Meanwhile Jimmy Tupou will lead the Crusaders and has been named at blindside flanker in a starting forward pack that will be missing All Blacks Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Matt Todd, Sam Whitelock, Codie Taylor and Joe Moody.
Coach Todd Blackadder has already stated that Whitelock will lead the Crusaders in the absence of regular skipper Kieran Read ‑ who has been granted permission to enter the competition late ‑ for the first two round‑robin matches against the Chiefs and Blues in Christchurch.
The Crusaders will take on the Reds at 6.30pm tomorrow.
Crusaders:
Marty McKenzie, Jone Macilai, Sean Wainui, David Havili, Sione Fifita, Ben Volavola, Leon Fukofuka, Jordan Taufua, Tim Boys, Jimmy Tupou (c), Scott Barrett, Luke Romano, Mike Alaalatoa, Ged Robinson, Alex Hodgman. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Oliver Jager, Sam Whitelock, Mitchell Dunshea, Reed Prinsep, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo'unga, Kieron Fonotia, Mitchell Hunt, Johnny McNicholl, Nemani Nadolo.
