Israel Dagg

The pair have been named in the Crusaders starting lineup for Saturday night's match against the Japanese side the Sunwolves.

Prop Franks makes his return from an Achilles injury and Dagg a knee injury with the pair not having played since September.

Dagg will start on the right wing.

Regular skipper All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock has been rested with fellow with fellow All Black Matt Todd to lead the side.

The Chiefs have made four changes to their starting lineup for their match against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Saturday night.

That was the positive spin being put on the latest injury update provided by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen before his team's departure for their away Rugby Championship match in Buenos Aires against Argentina.

Hansen confirmed Dagg was his fourth player to have his season ended prematurely with his ongoing knee problems, but said the overall prognosis was much better than was originally feared.

The 29-year-old injured his knee for the Crusaders in early March and required an operation, only returning to the field in late May.

He went on to play all three British and Irish Lions Tests, as well as a protagonist's role in the Crusaders' Super Rugby triumph, but was rested from the All Blacks' two Bledisloe Cup Tests against Australia.

Characterising his knee niggle as a case of "old man syndrome" last week, Dagg went on to play just fewer than 50 minutes in Saturday's 39-22 win over Argentina.

But the issue appears more serious than Dagg intimated.

He's been named on the wing for Saturday's clash with the Rebels in Melbourne.

The outside back played a half game of club rugby a fortnight ago and declared himself fit to play for the Crusaders, but he was left out of last weekend's win over the Chiefs in Suva.

Dagg hasn't played Super Rugby since March after injuring his knee against the Reds and now has two games to prove his match fitness before the All Blacks first test of the year against Samoa.

Dagg travelled with the team to Suva but will only take part in promotional activities.

The 28-year-old outside back had a knee operation in mid-March but played 40 minutes of club rugby last weekend and declared himself ready to resume playing for the Crusaders.

Coach Scott Robertson disagreed and left him out of the match in Suva, where the Crusaders will be looking to retain their perfect record this season with a 12th consecutive win.