The game, which will mark prop George Bower’s 100th outing for the Crusaders, will also show whether the Blues are the real deal as a contender for competition honours this year.
Winning in Christchurch has always been a measure of a team's championship capabilities, and Friday will be no different.
Sitting in second place, but with the Hurricanes and Chiefs on either side of them having a game in hand, the Blues need a win to ensure a chance to gain a home playoff game, while the Crusaders need a win if they are to push for a top-three finish.
Into that, Blues coach Vern Cotter has thrown a curveball by opting for Stephen Perofeta to start at first five-eighths with Beauden Barrett on the bench.
The Blues completed the first leg of the quinella with a 29-13 win over the Crusaders in Auckland earlier in the season, but Cotter knows the challenge ahead.
“You never get the same picture twice against the Crusaders, especially down in Christchurch.
“They’re a side that pride themselves on their physicality and accuracy, and our focus has been on staying connected to ensure we are at our best for the full 80 minutes.”
They have also been boosted by the return of flanker Dalton Papali’i, prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and hooker Bradley Slater. Malachi Wrampling will start on the blindside flank with Anton Segner set for his 50th game off the bench. Sam Nock will start at halfback with Finlay Christie on the bench.
Taha Kemara is out with a knee injury, allowing Rivez Reihana to start at first five-eighths with Cooper Grant on the bench. In the pack, Jamie Hannah will start at lock while Sevu Reece has returned to the wing.
Bower said the Blues proved the better side in their first meeting, but the Crusaders had grown since then.
“We’ve got a good plan around what they’ll bring and how we want to win the game.”
The Chiefs are in Brisbane on Friday night, also facing a key game against a Queensland Reds team that is heading the Australian challenge and in fourth place, nine points behind the Chiefs.
The Chiefs will go into the game with one of their least experienced backlines of the season. Kyle Brown will start at centre, while Isaac Hutchinson will start at fullback alongside Kyron Taumoefolau on the right wing.
Hutchison made his debut against the Fijian Drua in the Super Round in Christchurch a fortnight ago.
Coach Jono Gibbes said he was impressed with Hutchinson's performance in his game, his first since recovering from a bad knee injury.
“It’s a real testament to his attitude and his outlook on life, and the support he had in Canterbury, initially, and now up here with the Chiefs, ensured he’s had a successful rehab.”
Xavier Roe has the starting role at halfback with Damian McKenzie outside him at first five-eighths.
Wallace Sititi is at No8 in the All Black loose forward combination with Luke Jacobson and Simon Parker, where they will face a tough battle for advantage in the loose against the Reds Wallaby loose forwards, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson and Joe Brial.
Carter Gordon has recovered from injury and will come off the bench, while Lachie Anderson will start on the wing with Tim Ryan being rested.
The Highlanders go into their final home game of the season needing to beat the NSW Waratahs to keep their hopes of a top-six place alive. With both sides on 20 points, the goal is the same for the Waratahs.
Boosted by the return of wing Caleb Tangitau, the Highlanders will be looking to pick themselves up after their loss to the Drua, while the Waratahs have had consecutive losses to the Crusaders and Force.
Jona Nareki will start at centre, while in the pack, Tomas Lavanini will start along with Lucas Casey in the loose.
Coach Jamie Joseph said one of the reasons for Nareki moving in a place was because they are losing two centres next year.
“Jona is a coverage player. He’s got the skill set that we think can play in that position. And having Jonah Lowe, Jona Nareki, and Caleb Tangitau back available to us now gives us real options.
“Caleb’s an in-form player. Scores a lot of tries and is very quick. We’ve been missing him for the last couple of games. It’s nice having him back.”
The Waratahs are without captain Matt Philip, due to a calf injury, with halfback Jake Gordon returning as captain. Prop Isaac Kailea and lock Miles Amatosero return to the starting XV.
Coach Dan McKellar wants less conservatism from his side.
“We’ve got to play with a little bit more spark and energy around our attack. Off the back of that, we’ll play a game that’s a lot more enjoyable to watch and a whole lot more enjoyable to play in.
Moana Pasifika will start Samoan Test midfielder Faletoi Peni for the first time at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday against competition leaders the Hurricanes.
Peni’s performance off the bench last week is behind his selection, where he will be paired with Solomon Alaimalo. Hooker Millennium Sanerivi is rewarded for his two-try effort against the Blues last week with a start, while lock Veikoso Poloniati returns to the side.
Other changes side prop Lolani Faleiva and loose forward Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing return to the side off the bench.
Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw has made seven changes to his starting side for the game.
Pouri Rakete-Stone will start at loosehead prop with hooker Vernon Bason making his starting debut. Isaia Walker-Leawere will start at lock with Brad Shields on the blindside flank, which allows Brayden Iose to return to No8.
Halfback Ereatara Enari will start with Lucas Cashmore at first five-eighths for the first time. Jone Rova is starting a second five-eighths. Wing Kini Naholo is on the bench after recovering from the ACL rupture a year ago and a heel injury in the pre-season.
Laidlaw said, “Having picked up a few injuries in the Crusaders game, it’s an opportunity for the squad to use its depth. It’s exciting to welcome a few guys back.
“Moana Pasifika were really physical against the Blues last week and played well, so we’re under no illusions that it’s going to be a tough night.”
The final game of the round, between the ACT Brumbies and Western Force in Canberra, will see the home team looking to contain the resurgent Force. The Brumbies have slipped to sixth on the ladder, their lowest position in eight seasons.
Captain Allan Alaalatoa returns from a concussion at prop, while centre Hudson Creighton and wing Ollie Sapsford will start, with loose forward Chris Mickelson set for his Super Rugby debut from the bench.
The Force will have prop Harry Johnson-Holmes and No8 Vaiolini Ekuasi back in their starting side with lock Darcy Swain also returning to play his 100th Super game, 76 of them for Saturday’s rivals, the Brumbies. Wing Dylan Pietsch will also play his 50th game.
