Hooker Corey Flynn has been given the all-clear for Saturday night’s Rebel Sport Super 14 match against the Blues at AMI Stadium.

Flynn had been bracketed with Quentin MacDonald on the substitutes’ bench but he was given the green light after Crusaders training today. It will be Flynn’s first appearance in the squad for the 2010 season proper after he injured an ankle against the Blues in the pre-season game at Motueka last month.

Another returning from an ankle injury is lock Isaac Ross, who replaces Joe Wheeler on the substitutes’ bench.

Ross missed last week’s victory over the Sharks due to a rolled ankle at training in the week before the match.

Richie McCaw will captain the team after coming off the bench last week. He will start in the number six jersey and head coach Todd Blackadder is expecting McCaw’s partnership with openside George Whitelock to be a very effective one.

“Richie and George will complement each other nicely – they will both play in the openside role as the game progresses,” said Blackadder.

Prop Owen Franks comes in at tighthead prop, replacing his brother, Ben, who has a minor knee injury.

No8 Thomas Waldrom was also unavailable for selection due to a minor Achilles injury.