All Blacks captain Kieran Read and his counterparts will turn out for the Crusaders against the touring Lions.

The British and Irish Lions face a torrid start to their tour of New Zealand with leading All Blacks set to be released to soften up the visitors through the Crusaders and Blues.

Any hopes the Lions had of easing into their 10-match tour will be dashed by news that Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Israel Dagg, Sonny Bill Williams, Jerome Kaino, Charlie Faumuina and co will line up for their respective Super Rugby teams in early June.

The Lions open their anticipated tour, New Zealand's first since 2005, against the provincial barbarians in Whangarei on June 3. Four days later they can expect a battering from a stacked Blues side at Eden Park, with up to 11 All Blacks to feature.

PHIL NOBLE Sonny Bill Williams will play among a host of All Blacks for the Blues against the Lions.

The Crusaders, who boast 12 All Blacks of their own, are next up in Christchurch on June 10.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen confirmed no one in contention for first test selection would be precluded from playing for the Blues and Crusaders.

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"That's all been sorted. The first two Super Rugby games before we assemble they'll all be available. After that they'll be with us," Hansen said.

Given everything Christchurch has endured, from the earthquakes to Port Hills fire, Crusaders coach Scott Robertson believes having his All Blacks on deck will only enhance a match that is already sold out.

"It's hugely significant for our region, the Crusaders and the people of Christchurch after what we've been through and not being able to host a test match it's our equivalent," Robertson said. "To have the All Blacks playing on top it's going to be a pretty special evening. It's history making.

"They've got a bit of time off afterwards to get themselves right for that first test match and it comes in our bye so there's a lot of things going for us. As a whole group it's something to look forward to."

Christchurch last hosted the Lions in the infamous test which featured the Tana Umaga and Brian O'Driscoll incident.

"There was a lot of controversy and feeling in that game," Robertson said. "Twelve years on it's not the All Blacks but the Crusaders playing and I'm sure it'll be right up there.

"They'll bring the 1000 people they normally do on and off the field and they'll be really determined. That's why these tours are so great because of the focus, intensity and meaning of it all."

Former All Blacks captain Umaga, now Blues coach, made it clear knocking over the Lions was a major priority.

"Certainly as the first Super Rugby team to play the Lions, we are delighted the All Blacks will be available for selection," Umaga said. "It will be a special occasion for the players and for the club and we would respect that by putting out our best team available."

At the other end of the spectrum, the Highlanders, Chiefs and Hurricanes will be without their All Blacks. The Chiefs, who play the Lions three days after the fourth unofficial test against New Zealand Maori in Rotorua, are yet to find out whether they'll be without their significant Maori contingent too.

The All Blacks will assemble on June 11, just under two weeks before the opening test at Eden Park on June 24.

Traditionally the All Blacks are rusty in their first test of the year but Hansen is yet to decide whether his expected 33-man squad will need a warm-up match.

"We won't have any problem with being battle hardened. We've got guys playing Super Rugby right up until when we assemble," he said.

"You've got the age old problem of the first home test and you've got a limited amount of preparation time but whatever happens in the first one we'll only get better after that.

"Planning is well under way to work out how we are going to go into that first test well prepared.

"We want to be flexible enough in our thinking to see where we are at and if they need a game or not."

Hansen has been a keen observer of the tightly-contested Six Nations, noting a shift in attitude and expectations, but expects to get a clearer picture of how the Lions will attempt to attack the All Blacks in the six lead-in games.

"You're only guessing at the moment but you'd imagine they'll attack us at set piece; try and drive a lot of their lineouts and keep us in our own 22 and not give us too many counter attacking options. They'll bring a lot of line speed in their defence."