Norm Maxwell's inclusion at lock means the Crusaders will take to the field for Saturday's Super 12 rugby match against the Blues with a starting line-up consisting of 15 past and present All Blacks.

This is the second time a Super 12 side of All Blacks will take the field, the first being a Blues starting 15 in 1996.

For the Crusaders, though, it means nothing if they don't beat the Blues at Eden Park, Auckland, on Saturday.

Also, while fielding a full All Blacks team is a feat, it should also be kept in context.

All Blacks coaches have had a short lifespan in recent years and with each coach having a revolving selection policy, the number of men who have worn the coveted black jersey has rocketed.

In saying that, 12 of the players in the Crusaders team represented the All Blacks at some stage last year with only prop Dave Hewett, wing Caleb Ralph and fullback Leon MacDonald - who was in Japan - not in the frame.

It is also a telling statistic that 10 Blues players who will start Saturday night's match were picked for the All Blacks last year.

However, there is still time for the Crusaders mix to be shaken with blindside flanker Reuben Thorne yet to be passed fit.

He has been nursing a bruised lower back and coach Robbie Deans said he would wait until Saturday to see how Thorne recovered from the day's training session.

"He's not totally cleared as such. We just have to wait to see how he responds to the work he did today and make sure that hasn't set him back," Deans said.

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