Rugby: Canterbury get All Blacks back

Isaac Ross will sit on the sidelines for another week while his All Blacks team-mates return to Canterbury's Air New Zealand Cup side.

Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn and Kieran Read will all start in Friday night's Ranfurly Shield defence against Manawatu, while Richie McCaw and Dan Carter have been named on the bench.

Ross has been overlooked for selection due to illness.

Canterbury coach Rob Penney said Ross will be considered for next week and after talking with the All Blacks coaches they will help him with his reconditioning. He said Ross has been given some goals to work on in the short-term and they will help him achieve those.

As for Read, he has taken it easy over the break, chilling out at home and spending some time at the gym, doing a lot of rehab work to strengthen up the muscles again.

- NEWSTALK ZB