CHRISTCHURCH - Crusaders backrower Kieran Read will miss Saturday's Super Rugby playoff game against the Bulls because of a rib injury.
Read has yet to recover full fitness.
The Crusaders have made three changes to their lineup: Wyatt Crockett was chosen at loosehead prop ahead of Ben Franks and Sam Whitelock at lock ahead of Tom Donnelly.
Franks and Donnelly both move to the reserves bench.
Adam Whitelock moves from centre to wing, allowing Robbie Fruean to return in midfield.
The return of fit-again lock Flip van der Merwe marks the only change to the Bulls.
Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Adam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Richie McCaw (captain), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Samuel Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Ben Franks, Tom Donnelly, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Tom Taylor, Sean Maitland.
Bulls: Zane Kirchner, Akona Ndungane, JJ Engelbrecht, Wynand Olivier, Bjorn Basson, Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Pierre Spies (captain), Dewald Potgieter, Jacques Potgieter Juandre Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Dean Greyling. Reserves: Willie Wepener, Frik Kirsten, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Deon Stegmann, Jano Vermaak, Louis Fouche, Francois Venter.