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Crusaders stars back to club rugby

Kieran Read
All Blacks Captain, Kieran Read  Andy Craig- Twitter

Crusaders superstars Richie Mo'unga and Kieran Read are taking it back to grass roots this weekend.

All Blacks captain Kieran Read will play for Canterbury University club against Mo'unga and his Linwood side.

Canterbury University head coach Sidney Tuamiti expects a massive turnout for this weekend's game. 

Tuamiti coached the team's 2013 game against Christchurch when Richie McCaw played. He said said he expected a similar crowd at the upcoming match.

"I would imagine given that the All Black captain and Crusaders first-five are playing this week in community rugby will make it a big event," he said.

Tuamiti said Read attended last week's training and provided some great advice for the team.

Read will play only 40 minutes of the game, as advised by Crusaders staff.

The 97-test capped veteran has not played since the All Blacks took on France in Paris in late November.

Read spent the off-season recovering from a wrist injury, and is slowly preparing for the All Blacks' series against the British and Irish Lions in June and July.

Linwood Bulls Coach Kingi Matenga said Mo'unga had been a great role-model for the club and his team-mates.

"He was first at training and the last to leave. He's got a great attitude," he said.

Matenga believed Mo'unga was one of the best attacking first-fives in the world.

The game kicks off at 2:45pm at Linfield Park.