Richie McCaw has been named among the substitutes for the Crusaders’ Super Rugby warm-up match against the Hurricanes in Levin on Friday.

Next to McCaw, there will be two other players taking to the field for the first time this season – No 8 Luke Whitelock and winger Johnny McNicholl.

Ryan Crotty will be captain for the match.

Crusaders – 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Ryan Crotty (c), 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Nafi Tuitavake, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Subs: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Richie McCaw, 21 Andy Ellis, 22 Tyler Bleyendaal, 23 Rob Thompson, 24 Zac Guildford, 25 Reynold Lee-Lo, 26 Jordan Taufua.

Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix