Rugby: Injury setback for McCaw

Richie McCaw. Photo / Getty Images

Richie McCaw's Super 15 season has been halted again due to a foot injury, leaving him out of the Crusaders clash with the Highlanders on Saturday.

McCaw, who played 29 minutes from the substitutes' bench against the Chiefs at Mt Maunganui last weekend, will miss the match at
Trafalgar Park in Nelson with a bruised foot.

McCaw trained on Monday and suffered soreness in his right foot overnight. It is the same foot in which a screw was inserted following his stress fracture pre-season, but scans have ruled out any new bone damage.

The Crusaders will also be without Kieran Read, who has captained the team in every game this season, who is left out of the match-day 22 due to his workload.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said: "The right thing to do is to rest Richie at this stage. It's not a serious problem. A week away from playing will do him good and we'll monitor him next week."

Other changes to the Crusaders starting XV come in the front row, where Wyatt Crockett replaces Ben Franks at loosehead prop and Quentin MacDonald comes in for Corey Flynn at hooker.

Tasman player Joe Wheeler gets his first game time of the season following a shoulder reconstruction last year. He will start at Number 8, replacing Read.

Andy Ellis comes back in at halfback, replacing Kahn Fotuali'i.

At first-five, Matt Berquist retains his spot ahead of Dan Carter, who is recovering from a hamstring problem.

Adam Whitelock replaces Sonny Bill Williams at second-five and Tom Marshall comes on the right wing ahead of Sean Maitland.

Blackadder added: "The guys being rested have had a tough workload already this season and we have a lot of faith in the players coming in. It's a great opportunity for them."

Crusaders team:
1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Quentin MacDonald, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brad Thorn, 5. Chris Jack (vc), 6. George Whitelock, 7. Matt Todd, 8. Joe Wheeler, 9. Andy Ellis (c), 10. Matt Berquist, 11. Zac Guildford, 12. Adam Whitelock, 13. Robbie Fruean, 14. Tom Marshall, 15. Israel Dagg

Reserves: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Luke Romano, 19. Jonathan Poff, 20. Kahn Fotuali'i, 21. Sonny Bill Williams, 22. Sean Maitland.

- HERALD ONLINE