Crusaders halfback Kahn Fotuali'i has been stood down from Friday's must-win Super 14 clash with the Brumbies on Friday night after breaching team protocol.

Fotuali'i was dropped because he failed to meet team recovery requirements after their 40-35 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria last weekend.

"It's an unfortunate thing to happen at this time of the season but we're not going to let it distract us," Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said on Tuesday.

"We're going to focus solely on our very important match against the Brumbies on Friday night.

"Kahn regrets the breach and will be doing his best to help prepare the team to win on Friday."

Fotuali'i has been in impressive form for the Crusaders this season, holding down a starting spot ahead of All Black Andrew Ellis for a month before starting the game against the Bulls on the reserves bench.

The Crusaders need to beat the Brumbies to qualify for the semifinals.

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