All Blacks prop Joe Moody has been confirmed in the Crusaders line-up for the first time this season, after an extended injury layoff since last September.
The 31-test international initially suffered a shoulder injury against Argentina in the Rugby Championship and then broke a finger in a club match last month, while building towards a Super Rugby comeback.
But Moody has been named to start in the No.1 jersey against the Waratahs on Saturday, a welcome return at a time when the national team's propping stocks are being tested.
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"Joe played a club game last weekend," says Crusaders coach Scott Robertson. "He played 60 minutes and he's in great physical condition - if you've got a niggly finger, you can still run.
"He comes in to start for us, he's done a lot of scrimmaging, so he's ready."
Moody is chomping at the bit to get back out on the field.
"It feels like it's been an age," he says. "It has been a little frustrating, but I'm just happy to be back in the mixer now.
"I only last about two minutes in club footy. The tendon ripped a bit of bone off - it's called a 'mullet finger'.
"It's been tough with my own little trainer up on the hill and just getting flogged, but there's no substitute for match fitness, so I'm looking forward to getting some game time under my belt now."
But Moody's inclusion is offset by the absence of back-line kingpin Ryan Crotty from the centres, replaced by Tim Bateman, and another international prop, Owen Franks.
"Ryan's got a couple of little niggles," says Robertson. "This is a good chance for us to freshen him up and obviously we're working closely with the All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby to make sure the players are in good nick come June."
Franks is being managed carefully, after returning from an Achilles tendon injury. He's made three appearances for the Crusaders, plus a couple of club games, so Moody's availability provided an opportunity for a break.
Having both involved in training has lifted the forward intensity, with Robertson describing their head-to-head sessions as "pretty brutal".
All Black fullback David Havili is another sitting in the stands this week, despite clearing all concussion protocols from a head knock against the Melbourne Rebels on Friday.
From the side that demolished the Aussies 55-10, international hooker Codie Taylor replaces two-try hero Andrew Makalio in the starting XV, Michael Alaalatoa moves into the front row for Franks, Bryn Hall rotates in for Mitchell Drummond at halfback, and George Bridge moves to fullback, with Manasa Mataele taking his spot on the wing.
Crusaders: 1-Joe Moody, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Michael Alaalatoa, 4-Scott Barrett, 5-Sam Whitelock, 6-Pete Samu, 7-Matt Todd, 8-Jordan Taufua, 9-Bryn Hall, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-Manasa Mataele, 12-Tim Bateman, 13-Jack Goodhue, 14-Seta Tamanivalu, 15-George Bridge
Reserves: 16-Andrew Makalio, 17-Wyatt Crockett, 18-Donald Brighouse, 19-Mitchell Dunshea, 20-Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 21-Mitchell Drummond, 22-Mitch Hunt, 23-Braydon Ennor
Waratahs: 1-Tom Robertson, 2-Damien Fitzpatrick, 3-Sekope Kepu, 4-Ned Hanigan, 5-Rob Simmons, 6-Will Miller, 7-Michael Hooper, 8-Michael Wells, 9-Nick Phipps, 10-Bernard Foley, 11-Taqele Naiyaravoro, 12-Kurtley Beale, 13-Curtis Rona, 14-Cam Clark, 15-Israel Folau
Reserves: 16-Hugh Roach, 17-Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18-Shambeckler Vui, 19-Tom Staniforth, 20-Jed Holloway, 21-Jake Gordon, 22-Lalakai Foketi, 23-Bryce Hegarty (23)
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