Selection tests faced both camps ahead of the table-topping Super Rugby Aotearoa game between the Crusaders and Blues in Christchurch on Saturday.
The two teams are unbeaten but the Crusaders lead as a result of bonus points gained. They are on a 35-game winning run at home while the Blues will be looking to end their 11-game losing streak to the Crusaders.
Given the form, Will Jordan had shown at fullback and wing, and his impact on the try-scoring table, Crusaders coach Scott Robertson pulled the biggest surprise by leaving Jordon on the bench with David Havili at fullback and Sevu Reece and George Bridge on the wings.
"It's a hard decision. But when you've got two All Black wings and your vice-captain, who was probably player of Super Rugby before Covid-19 and he got sick…we spent a lot of time on the decision-making and who would start. But the young fella will bring a lot off the bench.
"We would start all four if we could," he said.
"He's just explosive, isn't he? He has got great timing and anticipation and can beat a man. He's pretty exciting, he'll get more chances."
Robertson also believed he would be on the All Blacks' selection radar.
Flanker Ethan Blackadder's non-selection is the result of another injury problem.
Only just back playing after shoulder surgery in 2019, he is to have another operation, this time on his knee.
"We really for him, he's been through a lot," Robertson said.
"He just had a wee episode with his knee, something is floating in it. It just locked up a couple of times. The surgeon said he will go inside and have a look."
Robertson said it was frustrating and while Blackadder hadn't shown too much emotion he was hoping for the best outcome from the operation.
Blues coach Leon MacDonald produced surprises of his own with Harry Plummer starting at second five-eighths instead of TJ Faiane, who will come off the bench, while Finlay Christie starts at halfback with Jonathan Ruru his back-up for this game.
Christie had earned his start after some good efforts off the bench in earlier games while Plummer offered another kicking option with Faiane's bench move offering some relief from the extensive minutes he had played in the campaign.
Blues assistant coach Tom Coventry said the side had been working hard on aspects of their game they thought would be important. That included their set-piece which was an area of strength for the Crusaders and which the Blues felt they had let themselves down in the last time the sides met.
They were remaining focused on their own game for what they knew was going to be a significant challenge. It was a case of matching the Crusaders in all the areas they were good at while keeping the error rate down and looking after the ball when having it, he said.
Two late tries against the Highlanders last week came off the back of some little lapses in concentration.
Hooker James Parsons said it was a case of being aware of what the Crusaders would bring while also nailing their plans.
With 33 consecutive wins at home, the Crusaders relished playing on their home ground, they had a style they enjoyed playing and that contributed to the challenge the Blues faced in Christchurch.
The Crusaders were a relentless side who played for the whole game, a fact that was evident in the bonus points which had them leading the competition, he said.
The teams are:
Crusaders: 1.Joe Moody, 2.Codie Taylor (captain), 3.Michael Alaalatoa, 4.Sam Whitelock, 5.Mitchell Dunshea, 6.Tom Sanders, 7.Tom Christie, 8.Whetukamokamo Douglas, 9.Bryn Hall, 10.Richie Mo'unga, 11.George Bridge, 12.Jack Goodhue, 13.Braydon Ennor, 14.Sevu Reece, 15.David Havili.
Substitutes: 16.Andrew Makalio, 17.George Bower, 18.Oliver Jager, 19.Quinten Strange, 20.Sione Havili, 21.Mitchell Drummond, 22.Fetuli Paea, 23.Will Jordan.
Blues: 1.Alex Hodgman, 2.James Parsons, 3.Ofa Tuungafasi, 4.Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 5.Josh Goodhue, 6.Akira Ioane, 7.Dalton Papalii, 8.Hoskins Sotutu, 9.Finlay Christie, 10.Otere Black, 11.Caleb Clarke, 12.Harry Plummer, 13.Rieko Ioane, 14.Mark Telea, 15.Beauden Barrett.
Substitutes: 16.Kurt Eklund, 17.Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18.Sione Mafileo, 19.Aaron Carroll, 20.Blake Gibson, 21.Jonathan Ruru, 22.TJ Faiane, 23.Matt Duffie.
Referee: Paul Williams