Richie Mo'unga will play his first game of Super Rugby in two months when the Crusaders face the Rebels on Friday.

Richie Mo'unga has four plates and four screws inserted in his jaw as a souvenir of the moment he busted his jaw on March 3.

The Crusaders first five-eighth, who will finally make his comeback against the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday night, is relieved to have recovered from the nasty injury that came as a consequence of giant Stormers prop Steve Kitshoff bulldozing into him in the third round of Super Rugby.

As soon as Mo'unga slumped to the ground after colliding with Kitshoff in the final moments of the match in Christchurch, he began to check the AMI Stadium grass for his ivories.

"After it happened, I sort of found myself looking for my teeth. That was sort of the impact I went through," Mo'unga said. "I kind of knew straight away that something wasn't right, and when your jaw is in a funny position you know it's not good.

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"I still had a little hope it wasn't too bad, but I saw the look on doc's face [team doctor Martin Swan\ when he was seeing what was happening."

With Swan's body language giving the game away, Mo'unga knew it was serious and was immediately taken to hospital to have an operation for two plates to be inserted to each side of his jaw.

An inability to eat solid foods meant he lost 5kg, dropping down to 83kg in the first week after surgery. He has since stacked back on the weight and has been involved in contact training; it was hoped he would play the Brumbies last weekend in Canberra, a game the Crusaders won 21-8, but a minor procedure on the jaw delayed his return.

Getting back his mojo was paramount. That meant being able to take the hits at training, and being careful not to let anyone whack him on the jaw.

"It's about confidence and the ability to make good tackles again. You have to trust your doctors and surgeon and that you are clear to play and good to go. It is just up to me now. I am good to go."

PHOTOSPORT Jack Goodhue will also return at centre for the Crusaders after recovering from a nagging hamstring problem.

The return of Mo'unga, who made his All Blacks debut as a substitute against a French XV in Lyon last November, will be welcomed the national selectors. With Lima Sopoaga declaring he will join English club Wasps after the Highlanders season and only likely to be called in an emergency, Mo'unga will be aiming to prove he can be considered alongside Damian McKenzie as the back-up to incumbent first-five Beauden Barrett.

Mo'unga is one of seven changes made to the Crusaders team that started against the Brumbies. His arrival coincides with the return of another international, Jack Goodhue, at centre.

Goodhue has recovered from the hamstring problem he suffered in his most recent outing for the Crusaders, against the Lions in Johannesburg on April 8.

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has had to shuffle his wings because wing Israel Dagg, who also injured his knee after copping a high tackle by Chance Peni last weekend, had returned to Christchurch to be with his wife Daisy who was expecting their second baby.

Robertson confirmed Dagg has had a scan on his knee and indicated he could be back before the competition breaks for the June test window: "We are just hoping it's a couple of weeks," Robertson said. Another All Black, lock Luke Romano, probably won't play until after June because of an ankle injury.

George Bridge has been named on the left wing, and Seta Tamanivalu has shifted to the right flank. Manasa Mataele, who was impressive when he replaced Dagg in Canberra and scored two tries, has again been listed on the bench.

AT A GLANCE

Crusaders: David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, Pete Samu, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Andrew Makalio, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Harry Allan, Michael Alaalatoa, Mitchell Dunshea, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Bryn Hall, Mitch Hunt, Manasa Mataele.