A famous name is back in the Crusaders.

Tasman loosie Ethan Blackadder, son of former Crusaders coach Todd, has been included in the Super Rugby champion's 2018 squad.

The other debutants include Canterbury openside Billy Harmon and halfback Jack Stratton. Braydon Ennor and Will Jordan both debuted in the Mitre 10 Cup this season, for Canterbury and Tasman respectively, and have been named as two new outside backs in the squad.

The Crusaders squad features 12 All Blacks currently away on the end of year tour, along with Maori All Black Tim Bateman and Barbarians representatives George Bridge, Mitchell Drummond and Richie Mo'unga.

CRUSADERS SQUAD

Forwards
Michael Alaalatoa, Scott Barrett, Ethan Blackadder, Wyatt Crockett, Mitchell Dunshea, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Billy Harmon, Oliver Jager, Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Tom Sanders, Quinten Strange, Jordan Taufua, Codie Taylor, Matt Todd, Sam Whitelock.

Backs
Tim Bateman, George Bridge, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Mike Delany, Mitchell Drummond, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Bryn Hall, David Havili, Mitchell Hunt, Will Jordan, Jone Macilai, Manasa Mataele, Richie Mo'unga, Jack Stratton, Seta Tamanivalu.

BLUES

First five Daniel Kirkpatrick has returned to the Blues for the 2018 season after a six-year stint in France.

Kirkpatrick joins Bryn Gatland and Stephen Perofeta in the battle for the number 10 with Hurricanes signing Otere Black ruled out for the entire season after suffering an ACL injury.

Kirkpatrick, who played six games for the Blues in 2010, has been playing for French second division side SC Albi after three seasons at Castres.

Other additions to the Blues 2018 squad include North Harbour's Mike Tamoaieta, Tasman's Isaac Salmon and Southland's Matt Johnson while Caleb Clarke, Dalton Papalii and Tamati Tua join the team after coming through the Blues development programme.

In another injury blow for the Blues, loose forward Blake Gibson will be out for the first part of the Super season in recovery from an operation on his shoulder.

The Chiefs and Hurricanes reveal their squads later this morning.

Blues squad:
Hookers: Leni Apisai, Matt Moulds, James Parsons. 
Front row: Alex Hodgman, Sione Mafileo, Pauliasi Manu, Isaac Salmon, Mike Tamoaieta, Ofa Tuungafasi.
Locks: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Josh Goodhue, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jimmy Tupou
Loose forwards: Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, Jerome Kaino, Dalton Papalii, Glenn Preston, Kara Pryor, Murphy Taramai.
Halfbacks: Sam Nock, Augustine Puli, Jonathan Ruru.
First Five: Otere Black/Daniel Kirkpatrick, Bryn Gatland, Stephen Perofeta.
Midfield: Matt Johnson, George Moala, Tamati Tua, TJ Faiane, Sonny Bill Williams.
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane, Melanie Nanai, Jordan Trainor.

HIGHLANDERS

The Highlanders have added eight players to their Super Rugby squad for 2018, including prodigious prop Tyrel Lomax.

The 21-year-old front-rower, son of former Kiwis star John, has moved across from the Melbourne Rebels in the hope of cracking the All Blacks.

The Highlanders squad includes eight current or former All Blacks and seven Maori All Blacks.

There are several new faces in the team with Wellington midfielder Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Tasman forwards Shannon Frizell, Pari Pari Parkinson and Lomax, Counties players prop Kalolo Tuiloma and outside back Tevita Nabura and Canterbury outside back Josh McKay.

Highlanders squad:
Forwards: Luke Whitelock, Liam Squire, Elliot Dixon, Shannon Frizell, Dillon Hunt, James Lentjes , Dan Pryor, Alex Ainley, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Josh Dickson, Pari Pari Parkinson, Kalolo Tuiloma, Siate Tokolahi, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Tyrel Lomax, Aki Seiuli, Guy Millar, Ash Dixon, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Liam Coltman

Backs: Ben Smith, Josh McKay, Tevita Li, Waisake Naholo, Tevita Nabura, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Richard Buckman, Patelesio Tomkinson, Matt Faddes, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Lima Sopoaga, Fletcher Smith, Josh Ioane, Josh Renton, Kayne Hammington, Aaron Smith