All Blacks captain Kieran Read will play his first first-class match of the year when he starts at No 8 for the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday night.

Advising No 8 Kieran Read he would start against the Highlanders would have been great fun.

Then Crusaders coach Scott Robertson had to play the role of the nasty pirate, and bruise the egos of some highly-rated internationals.

Having a squad loaded with so many fit players meant Robertson had to deliver good and bad news this week. Read walked away happy. All Blacks Israel Dagg, Luke Romano, Tim Perry and recently anointed Wallaby Pete Samu weren't so pleased. They were told there was no space in the match-day 23 for the Super Rugby match in Christchurch on Friday night.

The omission of fullback/wing Dagg, a 66-test veteran who has only made three appearances in Super Rugby this season because of injuries must have been difficult and Robertson took no pleasure from the demotion.

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"It's hard on Dagger [Dagg]. It is a tough conversation to have with a guy that has played so many games for us, and we love dearly. He's hurting but I'm sure will get an opportunity at some stage," Robertson said.

Everything has lined-up nicely for the defending champions who only need to drag one competition point out of the southern derby to win the minor premiership with a round remaining, and secure home advantage in the playoffs.

All Blacks captain Read, who will make his comeback from the spinal surgery he had in December, won't be treated carelessly. Replacing him at halftime is on the cards.

PHOTOSPORT Injury-troubled Israel Dagg was a tough decision for Crusaders coach Scott Robertson who left him out of the side to face the Highlanders.

Given he hasn't played a first-class game since captaining the All Blacks to victory against Scotland last November, Read couldn't be expected to be considered match-fit.

"I'm a wee way off that," Read, who played 40 minutes in a trial game for Counties-Manukau last week, declared.

"I think starting, and getting the opportunity to empty the tank … I will try that. In terms of the back it feels really good. That's a bonus."

JOHN DAVIDSON/PHOTOSPORT Flanker Heiden Bedwell-Curtis has kept Wallabies call-up Pete Samu out of the match-day 23.

His return to action will be headline news around the world. Read, who will turn 34 during next year's World Cup, is in the twilight of a long career and overcoming such a serious injury must be a relief.

"Now, for him, he has got 18 months left in New Zealand rugby," Robertson noted. "Every game is pretty special when you have had an injury like he has."

Although the operation on a damaged disc has been declared a success, Read still has to be pragmatic and accept his body will remind him he is no spring lamb.

"You can't say it [his lower back] is 100 per cent," Read said.

"When you are actually playing, yep, it is [good]. But, you know, you wake up a bit stiffer in the morning nowadays. Nerves generally take about 12 months to fully heal. It is sweet-as when you are out there playing.

"You just have to be a bit smarter around the activities you do."

The return of Read means Jordan Taufua, a member of the All Blacks squad to play France but not sighted because of a calf muscle injury, is on the bench. The in-form No 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis has kept out Samu.

Bedwell-Curtis, who wasn't picked for the original squad, has been rewarded for some hot performances.

"He's been our form loose forward, has Heiden, when he has played the Highlanders," Robertson said. "He is incredibly tough for us and great around the breakdown."

Crusaders: David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Sam Whitelock (capt), Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Alaalatoa, Quinten Strange, Jordan Taufua, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Manasa Mataele.