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The Crusaders will have to do without three experienced players, including captain Richie McCaw, for their Super 14 rugby match against the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday.
Injuries have seen flanker McCaw, lock Brad Thorn and fullback Leon MacDonald omitted from the team for the game.
McCaw suffered a head knock against the Chiefs last weekend.
Team management said he had not recovered sufficiently to play although he had improved significantly.
Thorn suffered a heel injury against the Chiefs while MacDonald hurt his shoulder in the same game.
George Whitelock will replace McCaw on the openside flank, with Isaac Ross coming in for Thorn and Stephen Brett for MacDonald.
Flanker Kieran Read will captain the side.
Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder said McCaw was close to being available but was not quite 100 per cent.
"He has been following our concussion protocols this week and we've been monitoring him closely but the Crusaders management, along with Richie, have decided that he won't play this week," Blackadder said.
He said it was too early to say how long Thorn and MacDonald would be out for.
Crusaders
Stephen Brett, Jared Payne, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman, Kade Poki, Colin Slade, Andy Ellis, Thomas Waldrom, George Whitelock, Kieran Read (captain), Ross Filipo, Isaac Ross, Ben Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett.
Reserves: Jason Macdonald, Bronson Murray, Michael Paterson, Nasi Manu, Kahn Fotuali'i, Ryan Crotty, Adam Whitelock.
- NZPA
