Former Brisbane Broncos rugby league player Brad Thorn has made the Crusaders starting XV at No 8 for their Super 12 pre-season match against the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.

It will be Thorn's first big rugby game since he switched codes amid a welter of publicity last year, and playing in his old adopted home town will add interest.

Crusaders coach Robbie Deans said Thorn had been "working in all roles really - (positions) 4, 6 and 8" in training, but it was decided to start him at the back of the scrum rather than lock or blindside flanker. "We just felt it was better to get him out there early rather than having him sitting there anxious on the sideline," he said.

Deans said there was no doubt the former Kangaroo international was looking forward to getting into a (rugby union) game. "He's done a lot of work on the training ground and it'll be good for him to have the experience with opposition."

Injuries made the naming of the squad something of an exercise, and only one back reverse, halfback Ben Hurst, was included. Specialist fullback Ben Blair will start on the wing where he has played for the Canterbury NPC team.

Deans hinted that one or two forwards could yet get a run in the backline during the game. "Hopefully we won't need them, but they're all pretty multi-skilled these days."

The Crusaders squad trained for an hour in Brisbane on Friday, having what Deans described as a "live walk-through".

Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Afato So'oalo, Caleb Ralph, Ben Blair, Daryl Gibson, Aaron Mauger, Justin Marshall, Brad Thorn, Reuben Thorne, Todd Blackadder (capt), Chris Jack, Scott Robertson, Con Barrell, Mark Hammett and David Hewett. Substitutes: Ben Hurst, Dallas Seymour, Richard McCaw, Sam Broomhall, Greg Somerville, Greg Feek and Matt Sexton. - Sapa