Flanker Jonathan Poff has been ruled out of the Crusaders team to play the Chiefs in Napier on Saturday night due to a rib injury.
Poff, who had been named on the reserves bench, aggravated a rib injury at training this morning.
He has been replaced by Joe Wheeler after lock Brad Thorn, who has been out of action for five weeks with a calf injury, came through training unscathed to claim his place on the bench.
An injury to Sonny Bill Williams forced a reshuffle of the Crusaders backline with the All Black midfielder out with a bruised knee.
Ryan Crotty moves in one spot to second five, Robbie Fruean returns to centre, while Brent Ward gets his first start on the right wing.
Meanwhile Sam Cane starts at openside for the Chiefs with Liam Meesam going to the blindside, while winger Lelia Masaga is bracketed with Tim Nanai-Williams because of a leg injury.
