The Crusaders have been rocked again by injury and shuffled to the hilt ahead of Saturday's Super 14 rugby match against the Western Force in Christchurch.

The six-time Super rugby champions have lost another of their stalwarts until the latter part of the campaign with the revelation that a foot injury will sideline prop Ben Franks for six weeks.

Franks will undergo surgery on a stress fracture next week.

He has been replaced by Bronson Murray in one of three changes to the forward pack that started last week's 6-0 loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin.

The others see George Whitelock replace the injured Richie McCaw as openside flanker while lock Isaac Ross pushes Ross Filipo to the reserve bench. Flanker Kieran Read regains the captaincy from McCaw.

Yet it is a glance at the backline that will make Crusaders supporters giddy.

Not a single back will wear the same jersey number as last week, with coach Todd Blackadder introducing three new faces while shuffling his charges completely.

Blackadder's thinning options are highlighted by the naming of Colin Slade - first five-eighth through the first four rounds - on the left wing.

Slade, who has spent time at fullback at lower levels of rugby, replaces Blair Cook at No.11, with Stephen Brett shifting from fullback to his preferred first five-eighth role.

Experienced All Blacks fullback Leon MacDonald returns after injuring his shoulder in the first round defeat of the Chiefs, still the only game the Crusaders have won this year.

Two other personnel changes to the backline are halfback Kahn Fotuali'i for the injured Andy Ellis and Ryan Crotty named for his first Super rugby start, at second five-eighth.

Crotty pushes Tim Bateman out one spot to centre, with Adam Whitelock in turn moving from centre to the right wing.

Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Adam Whitelock, Tim Bateman, Ryan Crotty, Colin Slade, Stephen Brett, Kahn Fotuali'i, Thomas Waldrom, George Whitelock, Kieran Read (captain), Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Bronson Murray, Jason Macdonald, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Dan Perrin, Owen Franks, Ross Filipo, Nasi Manu, Tyson Keats, Hamish Gard, Blair Cook

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