Rugby: Jack may return to revamped Crusaders

Five All Blacks have been demoted from the starting 15 while Chris Jack looks set to be injected back into Super 14 rugby when the Crusaders host the struggling Lions in Christchurch on Saturday.

Coach Todd Blackadder has taken the chance to rest several key names in his third-placed side against the winless South Africans, who have conceded an average of 46 points per game this season, including 73 against the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney last weekend.

First five-eighth Daniel Carter, flanker George Whitelock and prop Wyatt Crockett are on the reserve bench while in-form forwards Brad Thorn and Kieran Read have been left out of the 22 for the match at AMI Stadium.

A sixth change sees Adam Whitelock replace Robbie Fruean at centre.

Colin Slade will fill Carter's playmaking boots while Thomas Waldrom returns at No 8 for Read, Jonathan Poff takes over at openside for George Whitelock, his brother Sam Whitelock is promoted to start at lock in place of Thorn and Ben Franks assumes the loosehead prop berth.

Former All Blacks lock Jack should see some game time off the bench, his first appearance for the Crusaders since 2007, after overcoming pre-seaon wrist surgery and playing twice for the Crusaders development team.

Jack left New Zealand rugby after the 2007 World Cup, playing for English club Saracens and South African Currie Cup side Western Province.

Another big name on the bench will be Lions first five-eighth Carlos Spencer, the former All Black whose mixed form leaves him as one of several players paying the price for their Sydney disaster.