Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has named a strong side that includes an All Black tight five for Saturday's game against the Lions.
Robertson, who includes Israel Dagg and Seta Tamanivalu in his backs, said the team is under no illusions about how tough the match will be.
"This is a huge and exciting challenge for us," he said. "We are facing some of the best rugby players in the world, but we have some of the world's best in this team too, so it will be a fantastic clash.
"No matter how it unfolds, this will be a game that the players involved will remember as one of the special moments in their careers. Not that many players get the opportunity to play in a British and Irish Lions tour, and to do that in front of a sellout crowd at AMI Stadium in our Crusaders colours is going to be a awesome occasion for the team and for the fans in the stands."
The only changes to the team that beat the Highlanders last weekend are a rotation at scrum-half with Bryn Hall starting and Mitchell Drummond on the bench; a switch to centre for David Havili with Dagg coming in at full-back; and Tim Bateman coming in via the bench.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 David Havili, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Jed Brown, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Tim Bateman
Date: Saturday, June 10
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:35 local (07:35 GMT)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Pascal Gauzère (France)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
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