After three big come-backs in as many weeks, Scott Robertson has made a whopping seven changes to his side in hope they can get the job done a little earlier against the Force in Christchurch on Friday.
All Blacks Wyatt Crockett and Luke Romano will make their first starts of the year while Scott Barrett will line up in a slightly unfamiliar spot on the side of the scrum.
Jordan Taufua shifts to the back of the scrum as Matt Todd makes a welcome return from a calf strain.
Elsewhere on the park, Mitchell Drummond swaps in for Bryn Hall who drops to the bench while Tim Bateman slots in to 13 outside Ryan Crotty and Digby Ioane comes back into the side on the right wing.
The Crusaders haven't had it all their own way against the Force in previous meetings, winning by just one point in Perth last year. And Coach Robinson knows they'll be in for a tight tussle.
"They are fresh from a bye, which generally gives a team a bit of an edge, and our games against the Force have traditionally been really tight.
"We know we will need to be on form on Friday night but we are up for the challenge."
Crusaders team to play the Force
1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Sam Whitelock (C), 6. Scott Barrett, 7. Matt Todd (VC), 8. Jordan Taufua, 9. Mitchell Drummond, 10. Mitchell Hunt, 11. George Bridge, 12. Ryan Crotty (VC), 13. Tim Bateman, 14. Digby Ioane, 15. David Havili
Reserves - 16. Ben Funnell, 17. Tim Perry, 18. Michael Alaalatoa, 19. Mitchell Dunshea, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Marty McKenzie, 23. Manasa Mataele
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