Richie Mounga, left, and Kieran Read, pictured before playing for their clubs last weekend, are both available to play the Sunwolves in Christchurch on Friday night.

Half a game of club rugby was all the Crusaders' coaching staff needed to see from Kieran Read.

The All Black captain is one of four Crusaders set to return from injury against the Tokyo-based Sunwolves in Christchurch on Friday night, less than a week after he played 40 minutes for Christchurch club University.

Crusaders assistant coach Brad Mooar confirmed Read (wrist), winger Seta Tamanivalu (hamstring), midfielder Jack Goodhue (calf) and Richie Mo'unga (hand) were all available for the team's first post-bye game.

ROBYN EDIE/STUFF Crusaders assistant coach Brad Mooar feels for the teams facing Super Rugby extinction, including his former side the Kings.

However, it's not all good news for the unbeaten Crusaders, with All Black midfielder Ryan Crotty and winger Digby Ioane both ruled out.

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Crotty was forced from the field with an ankle injury late in the first half of his team's 41-22 win against the Waratahs in Sydney prior to the bye.

MARK KOLBE?GETTY Ryan Crotty screams in agony after hurting his ankle against the Waratahs in round five.

"He's been cleared of any serious injury," Mooar said. "That's an injury scare that's been cared for really well and we're working towards getting him back to hopefully being available next week [against the Stormers]."

Ioane re-aggravated﻿ the injury to his pinky finger which kept kept him out of the round four game against the Blues and is set to have surgery this week.

While Ioane took to social media to say he was preparing for five weeks' rehab, Mooar said there was no timeframe on his recovery.

DIANNE MANSON/GETTY-IMAGES Crusaders winger Seta Tamanivalu, pictured scoring the match-winning try against the Highlanders in round two, is set to return from his hamstring injury on Friday night.

"Not sure until he comes out of surgery what that will mean for rehab or what not, but clearly there is a wound to heal and there will be a couple of weeks at least in that," Mooar said.

Crotty's unavailability could see Tamanivalu, who hasn't played since round three against the Reds, get a run in the midfield. Since joining the Crusaders this season, the All Black midfielder has only been used on the wing.

In addition to Read, who had off-season injury on his wrist, running out for his club at Linfield Park in Christchurch last Saturday, Mo'unga was also in action in the same game.

MARTIN HUNTER / PHOTOSPORT The Crusaders are expected to be with out winger Digby Ioane (finger) for at least a few weeks.

He played the second of the game for Linwood, his first game-time since the season-opener against the Brumbies.

"It was really good to see those boys playing, they got through the game really well and will be available for [Friday]," Mooar said.

For the first time since the Sunwolves joined the competition last year, the Crusaders will play the Japanese side, who have been confirmed by Sanzaar as safe from the impending cull looming over Super Rugby.

Two yet to be confirmed South African sides and an Australian team will be scrapped after this season, with a team Mooar used to work for on the chopping block.

Mooar was assistant coach of the Southern Kings in 2013 and said he felt for his former side.

"I think the real shame about things for the sides that are in doubt and in jeopardy is the uncertainty would be really, really tough for them," he said.

"You talk about the board, the fans, the coaching staff, the management staff, the support staff trying to sell tickets and get people to games and then,of course, the players.

"I think that's really tough and I understand all the processes that have to go through and the politics behind all that sort of thing, but at the same time I have real empathy for what those sides will be feeling."

But Mooar can also see why Sanzaar finally caved to the "dissenting voices", and said an easier to understand 15-team competition would be easier for fans to get behind.

While the return of eight brutal NZ derbies might be frowned upon by some battle weary players, Mooar is excited by the prospect of facing the other four NZ teams home and away each year.

"We love going against our mates. You know each other's rugby pretty well but you're all looking to find an edge. It keeps you on your toes but we'll look forward to that when we get to it."

The Crusaders will name their match-day 23 to play the Sunwolves on Wednesday.