The Crusaders have named their team to face the Blues in this season's first Super Rugby match to be held at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday.

Coming off a successful pre-season where they knocked off the Highlanders, Hurricanes and Rebels, the Crusaders will be looking to continue their winning streak as the official season kicks off.

Four changes have been made to the starting fifteen that met the Rebels last week.

Wyatt Crockett comes into the number one jersey, and Ben Franks moves from loosehead prop to tighthead prop in place of brother Owen who will take the bench.

Sam Whitelock and Tom Donnelly remain the starting locks but switch jerseys. They will be backed up by Luke Romano on the bench.

Robbie Fruean returns to centre and Ryan Crotty has recovered from a hamstring strain to start at second five. Adam Whitelock and Tom Taylor who have filled this position in the last two warm-up games are both named in the reserves.

Crusaders:

1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Quentin MacDonald, 3. Ben Franks, 4. Tom Donnelly, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. George Whitelock, 7. Matt Todd, 8. Kieran Read (capt), 9. Andy Ellis (vice capt), 10. Tyler Bleyendaal, 11. Israel Dagg, 12. Ryan Crotty, 13. Robbie Fruean, 14. Sean Maitland, 15. Tom Marshall

Reserves:, 16. Corey Flynn, 17. Owen Franks, 18. Luke Romano, 19. Luke Whitelock, 20. Willie Heinz, 21. Partrick Osborne, 22. Adam Whitelock