Read: Good start vital

Crusaders' No.8 Kieran Read came through the side's final training run to confirm his start in Sunday's (NZT) Super Rugby semi-final against the Stormers in Cape Town.

Read has returned the captaincy of the side to Richie McCaw who is back from his first game in a month after recovering from a foot injury and will be able to concentrate on his own game, while also serving as back-up for McCaw.

"It's great having Richie back. He adds a lot to the side and he is our leader.

"I've just got to help him out and pretty much be his lieutenant on the field and continue what I've been doing and that is putting a performance in that can help the team," Read told supersport.com.

With doubt about whether Duane Vermeulen will start the game at No.8 for the Stormers, a decision will be made just before the game starts, Read is wary of his replacement Nick Koster.

"He is definitely a player of the future. He's an attacking loose forward and a really good player."

The Crusaders would be looking to start well and to try to get enough points ahead of the Stormers should the travel factor become obvious in the final quarter.

The side was well used to having to travel to South Africa for semi-finals, it has done so in four of the last five season.

"We have to make sure we learn from the previous year. I think we have done that so it's all about being right and recovering well for Saturday," he said.