All Black Leon MacDonald is back at fullback in the only change to the Crusaders starting XV that has been named for Friday's Super 14 Round Seven encounter with the Hurricanes in Wellington.

The 30-year-old's return sees Caleb Ralph drop to the replacements bench in the place of midfield back Hamish Gard. Scott Hamilton returns to the left wing, after deputising at fullback last week, while Kade Poki resumes on the right.

Otherwise the Crusaders line-up is unchanged from the match-day squad which dispensed with the Waratahs 34-7 last Friday and maintaining its unbeaten run this year.

The team is exactly the same as was originally named for the Waratahs' fixture, prior to MacDonald being allowed to withdraw to freshen up.

"Leon was nursing a couple of bumps. Common sense demanded that we didn't risk him," Crusaders coach Robbie Deans said.

"He's had a couple of days to freshen up now though, and has run strongly at training this week, so he's ready to go again. The break he's been able to have now will be good for him in the long run."

The Crusaders venture to Wellington's Westpac Stadium on the back of an unbeaten start to the championship, which has them eight competition points clear of the field.

The side has scored the most tries in the championship with 30, and has the best defensive record, having conceded just seven from six games.

This represents a top start to the competition, but while the team's bye follows Friday's game, Deans insists the break will not be a distraction as the Crusaders bid to finish off this section of the competition in style.

"We've got momentum and that's important, but it's a weekly thing. You've got to live in the now and we'll be working hard to make sure we do that," he says.

Crusaders: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Kade Poki, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andrew Ellis, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Richard McCaw (captain), 6 Kieran Read, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Ben Franks

Replacements: 16 Ti'i Paulo, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Michael Paterson, 19 Nasi Manu, 20 Kahn Fotuali'i, 21 Caleb Ralph, 22 Sean Maitland

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