Crusaders halfback Andy Ellis will not start Friday's Super 14 rugby match against the Bulls in Christchurch.

Ellis had X-rays on Monday after hurting his ribs in Saturday's 11-7 defeat of the Stormers.

Team management said the X-ray showed no new fractures and revealed that previous injuries, picked up in July while playing for Canterbury and November while playing for the All Blacks in Britain, were well healed.

However, Ellis will not play against the fourth-placed Bulls, with his spot likely to be filled by Kahn Fotuali'i, who replaced Ellis at half time on Saturday night. The Bulls went on to suffer the first defeat of their campaign - 36-12 to the Highlanders.

The Crusaders team to play the Bulls will be announced on Wednesday.

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