The Crusaders bench has received a significant boost ahead of their clash with the Blues at Eden Park this weekend, with All Black Noah Hotham and veteran lock Quinten Strange set to return from injury.
The Crusaders will have the services of All Black Codie Taylor when they host the Reds in Christchurch this weekend.
The Crusaders have made minor changes to the team that beat the Hurricanes in round one ahead of their trip to Hamilton to face the Chiefs in round two.
The Crusaders are out for redemption after dropping out of the Super Rugby Pacific title fold entirely in 2024. And a new, shortened finals format hasn't made that job any easier for the former champions.
Some experienced heads have called time on illustrious Crusaders careers ahead of the 2025 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season.
The stage is set for both NPC semi-finals with Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Wellington and Waikato naming their teams.
Former New Zealand U20s forward Dominic Gardiner has re-committed to the Crusaders through to 2027.
The Crusaders have missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015 under first year head coach Rob Penney prompting an external review of the season.
The Crusaders have welcomed back first five-eighth Fergus Burke for their crucial round 13 clash against the Brumbies in Canberra.
The Crusaders have dropped one-Test All Black Cullen Grace to the bench as one of six changes to their starting side to take on the Western Force in Perth on Saturday evening.