Telling Wyatt Crockett he wouldn't play in the Super Rugby final was the "hardest decision" Scott Robertson has had to make in his coaching career.

Crusaders coach Robertson appeared to struggle to temper his emotions as he explained how difficult it was to leave loosehead prop Crockett, a man who has played more than 200 games for the club since 2006 and will retire after Saturday night's final against the Lions, out of the match-day 23.

"It was the hardest decision I have had to make as a coach, I will be honest with you," Robertson said after naming his team to play at AMI Stadium.

"Great man, great Crusader. Highest capped and given more to this team than anyone else. We want to send him out the way he should be sent out, and we promised we would.

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"Which is as he started, with real pride."

Given Crockett was not required for the 30-12 win over the Hurricanes in the semifinal it was no great surprise he had been omitted to allow Joe Moody to start in the No 1 jersey, with Tim Perry as cover on the bench.

GETTY IMAGES Wyatt Crockett has been left out of the Crusaders match-day 23 to play the Lions in Saturday's Super Rugby final.

Yet, clearly, there was still a chance for the coach to make a decision on sentimental grounds. And, given his reaction, Robertson clearly knew it would have meant a great deal for Crockett, who earlier in the year declared he had retired from the All Blacks, a final run in red and black.

He wouldn't elaborate on how hard it was to give Crockett the news, or what is reaction was.

"You would probably have to ask Wyatt, really … It wasn't an easy conversation. We reconvened the next day."

JOHN DAVIDSON/PHOTOSPORT Heiden Bedwell-Curtis will start for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby final against the Lions in Christchurch.

There was much better news to deliver to Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, who has been named to start blindside flanker in place of Jordan Taufua who broke his arm against the Hurricanes. This is the only change to the team that started the semi.

Bedwell-Curtis is a genuine feel-good story. He wasn't contracted to the Crusaders at the start of the year, initially getting called in only as injury cover. Now he will start ahead of Wallaby Pete Samu, with the latter listed on the bench as cover for all three loose forward spots.

"Heiden has been extraordinary every time he has played for us, he has been extremely capable and it is probably more that Pete is exceptional off the bench," Robertson said.

GETTY IMAGES Sam Whitelock will lead the Crusaders as they bid for consecutive Super Rugby titles at AMI Stadium.

Robertson will wait until Friday to decide whether Andrew Makalio has recovered enough from a calf strain to be the reserve hooker. If ruled out, Sam Anderson-Heather, who made one brief appearance as a substitute against the Blues last month, will deputise for Codie Taylor.

"We are all pleasantly surprised, the medical staff as well," Robertson said in reference to Makalio's swift recovery. "He must have looked upstairs - he is a bit of a miracle, from what the medical team have said."

Robertson also dismissed allegations from Lions coach Swys de Bruin, who was clearly putting pressure on referee Angus Gardner prior to kick-off, that officials turn a blind eye to the defending champions being offside in defence.

Asked if this was gamesmanship from de Bruin, Robertson replied: "Potentially. One thing is we have got great line speed. Ronan O'Gara has spent a lot of time creating a real strength for us, which is the ability to get off the line … Maybe that is why it is mentioned."

AT A GLANCE

​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, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Sam Anderson-Heather/Andrew Makalio, Tim Perry, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Braydon Ennor.