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Crusaders fullback Leon MacDonald returns to the starting line-up for their Super 14 derby clash against the Blues at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Friday.

MacDonald has proved his fitness after being sidelined with a torn muscle in his thigh since the 20-13 win over the Hurricanes in Wellington on March 28.

The only other change to the starting XV sees Kade Poki wear the No.14 jersey.

Poki, who will earn his sixth Super Rugby cap, starts after appearing from the bench during last week's 5-18 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton.

Scott Hamilton, who began that match, drops back to the bench, while Caleb Ralph has been omitted from the match day squad.

Crusaders coach Robbie Deans welcomed MacDonald's return, saying the All Black fullback was right to go again after having been allowed time to get over his injury.

"We've had to manage Leon's [MacDonald] situation but he's trained really well these last few days, and come through with flying colours," said Deans.

Deans says the personnel changes made on the Crusaders wings were performance-related, and a tribute to the development progress the youngsters Poki and Sean Maitland had made during their maiden Super Rugby campaigns.

"One of the great attributes Kade [Poki] and Sean Maitland] [have shown this year has been their positivity," said Deans.

"The key thing is that they backed themselves on the field. That's exactly the attitude we'll be looking for them to bring to the occasion on Friday," added Deans.

The Crusaders line-up is otherwise unchanged from that which started in the previous round, with centre Casey Laulala named subject to passing further fitness and impact tests.

These will take place in the morning prior to, and during, the Crusaders captain's run at AMI Stadium.

"Casey [Laulala] has already had one impact test," said Deans.

"He then had a good physical involvement in our run which included a significant level of contact work.

"He's shown no symptoms from the knock he took at the weekend since the run, but we will do a further impact test, as well as monitoring him closely through the captain's run just to be sure," added the coach.

Crusaders: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Stephen Brett, 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 Ross Filipo, 19 Nasi Manu, 20 Kahn Fotuali'i, 21 Hamish Gard, 22 Scott Hamilton.

Date: Friday, April 25
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand), Brent Murray (New Zealand)
Television match official: Kane McBride (New Zealand)
Assessor: Stuart Beissel (New Zealand)