Crusaders cautious with McCaw

Richie McCaw. Picture / Hawke's Bay Today

It looks like Richie McCaw will miss the next three weeks of the Super 12.

Crusaders' medical officials and McCaw are taking a softly-softly approach in South Africa to his latest head knock.

He was excused from training again this morning (NZ time) as the Crusaders went through their drills in Cape Town.

In fact even his return to training is up in the air.

Crusaders coach Robbie Deans says we might not see McCaw until next month.

Deans says they need to be very conservative, and they will let McCaw tell them when he is ready.

Deans is looking at the May 7th match against the Highlanders as the earliest McCaw could return to the fray, although even that date is not set in concrete.

Meanwhile, the Stormers are sweating on the fitness of star flanker Schalk Burger ahead of Sunday morning's clash with the Crusaders. Burger has a calf strain.

Four players have been ruled out of the match with injuries: Hanyani Shimange, loose forwards number eight Adri Badenhorst, and Joe van Niekerk and fullback Werner Greef.

- NEWSTALK ZB