Sam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean (pictured) and Zac Guildford will make their Crusaders debuts on Saturday against the Highlanders at AMI Stadium.
Lock Whitelock had a fine season for Canterbury in last season's Air New Zealand Cup and will be one to watch this year.
Centre Fruean and wing Guildford come to the Crusaders from the Hurricanes. Both have impressed during pre-season fixtures.
Fuean played in both games against the Reds in Brisbane and the Blues in Motueka, with All Black Guildford playing only the Motueka match.
Not available through injury are midfielder Ryan Crotty (concussion), hooker Corey Flynn (ankle), prop Wyatt Crockett (ankle), wing Kade Poki (knee) and lock Chris Jack, who was always going to start the season late due to wrist surgery.
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will sit out the opening couple of matches in this season's Super 14 as he recovers from a tough last few years (rather than taking a sabbatical).
Head coach Todd Blackadder is well aware of the threat the Highlanders will pose. The Crusaders have not beaten the men from the south in the last two seasons.
"They will be tough but we're confident we have the men who can do the job for us." he said on the Crusaders site.
Directing operations will be first-five Dan Carter, who didn't play for the Crusaders last season due to his sabbatical in Perpignan, France.
The match is at AMI Stadium on Saturday and kick-off is at 7.35pm local time.
The Crusaders team to play the Highlanders
1. Ben Franks , 2. Ti'i Paulo , 3. Owen Franks , 4. Sam Whitelock , 5. Isaac Ross , 6. Kieran Read (c) , 7. George Whitelock , 8. Thomas Waldrom , 9. Andy Ellis , 10. Dan Carter , 11. Zac Guildford , 12. Tim Bateman , 13. Robbie Fruean , 14. Jared Payne , 15. Colin Slade
Reserves :16. Quentin MacDonald , 17. Peter Borlase , 18. Brad Thorn , 19. Jonathan Poff , 20. Kahn Fotuali'i , 21. Adam Whitelock , 22. Sean Maitland
Not considered due to injury: Corey Flynn (ankle), Wyatt Crockett (ankle), Kade Poki (knee), Ryan Crotty (concussion), Chris Jack (wrist).
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