The Crusaders have omitted Aaron Mauger from of their team to play the Brumbies on Friday night, but if he passes a late fitness test he will play.
The reigning Super 12 champions have lost five-eighth Andrew Mehrtens for the crunch game because of a gashed hand, and can ill-afford to also be without Mauger, who has a foot injury.
The Brumbies need to win the Canberra Stadium match to keep their destiny in their own hands, otherwise they would need both the Highlanders and Waratahs to also lose in order to stay in the top four, while the Crusaders will be seeking a win to try and qualify for a home semi-final.
Leon McDonald will play at five-eighth in place of Merhtens, with Justin Marshall left on the bench, while Scott Hamilton was named at fullback and Daniel Carter and Caleb Ralph in the centres.
Crusaders team to play the Brumbies:
Scott Hamilton, Marika Vunibaka, Caleb Ralph, Daniel Carter, Joe Maddock, Leon MacDonald, Ben Hurst, Sam Broomhall, Richard McCaw, Reuben Thorne (c), Chris Jack, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Mark Hammett, David Hewett
Reserves: Slade McFarland, Chris King, Johnny Leo'o, Scott Robertson, Justin Marshall, Hayden Pedersen, Shaun Webb