Crusaders captain and No.8 Kieran Read says that he does not want to be rested despite having played in almost every minute of the Crusaders' nine Super Rugby matches.

Reads form has been outstanding in the Crusaders recent resurgence which has seen them beat the Stormers, the Hurricanes, and Waratahs and he wants to keep playing especially this weekend against the defending champions, the Reds.

Sunday's Round 11 clash is a rematch of last year's Super Rugby final but this time the Crusaders are at home for the first time in the last three matches between the teams.

Last year the Crusaders lost the final 13-18 after losing earlier in the season 16-17 in the regular season and then 20-41 in 2010.

Read says the Crusaders are looking at the game not so much as a chance for revenge but more as a chance to stay in contact with the New Zealand conference teams above them the Highlanders and the table leading Chiefs.

"Last year they got a couple of good victories over us at Suncorp Stadium, but you just look at the table and we're still in third position in our conference so we can't really afford to be dropping any game - the pressure is on us in that respect as well," Read told Sportal at Crusaders training.

"The Reds are in the same position (behind the Brumbies and the Waratahs) in their conference."

"The closer you get to the June Tests you've got to keep yourself in the mix and stay as close as you can.

"We've really got to make sure we're on the job and there won't be any lack of motivation for our guys to be up this week."

Richie McCaw's return gives Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has the opportunity to rotate his squad this week as Read, Matt Todd and George Whitelock have all had a heavy workload.

"I'm feeling great and am really happy with how I'm performing so far this season," Read said.

"The body is really good and I feel like I can keep going. I guess it's going to be a matter of finding time (to rest) but we've got a couple of tough weeks ahead which I want to get under my belt."

Read said that he had enjoyed filling in for McCaw as Crusaders captain and added that he had no qualms about handing the reins back to McCaw when he gets his first start.

"Just to have him back in the side obviously adds a great dimension to our loose forwards."

"He can cover all positions and I guess game time will be spread around a little from now on."

Interestingly the Crusaders have scored 20 tries so far this season and Read's two tries are the only tries that have been scored by the forwards.