Richie McCaw has been named to play against the Queensland Reds this weekend from the bench. Returning after just the one club game this year, the addition of the Kiwi icon is one of three changes for the Crusaders. Luke Romano replaces Tom Donnelly in the starting side while Adam Whitelock’s inclusion on the bench at the expense of Telusa Veainu makes for four Whitelock brothers in the squad.

McCaw’s main opponent at breakdown time when he gets on the field will be Liam Gill, who has spoken of the challenge of playing against the All Blacks skipper “I do think he’ll be back to old Richie. He’s been great in the last decade, I wouldn’t think seven months off will change much of that.” Gill also highlighted McCaw’s ability to read the game, timing and experience as his major weapons on the field.