Crusaders drop McCaw and Carter

Daniel Carter in action against the Western Force last weekend. Paul Kane / Getty Images

Star All Blacks Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter have been benched for the Crusaders' Super 14 match against the Stormers at Cape Town on Sunday morning NZ time.

In-form fullback Leon MacDonald has also been named on a star-studded reserve bench in one of seven changes from the competition-leading side who were stunned by the Western Force in Perth last weekend before escaping with a 23-23 draw.

Coach Robbie Deans has had no problem removing the leading All Blacks, although the tight five is strengthened by the inclusion of lock Chris Jack and prop Greg Somerville.

Jack and Brad Mika both come in to replace the locking pair of Ross Filipo and Kevin O'Neill while Johnny Leo'o will replace McCaw on the openside flank. Reuben Thorne take over the captaincy from McCaw.

Carter's first five-eigth jersey goes to Cameron McIntyre while halfback Kenio Senio comes in for Andrew Ellis.

The resting of MacDonald results in a reshuffle of the outside backs. Casey Laulala comes in at centre, with Caleb Ralph moving to the left wing, where Scott Hamilton shifts back to fullback.

Ralph will make his 100th appearance for the Crusaders in his 109th Super rugby match.

Deans said Ralph's feat of not having missed a game for eight seasons was something that may never be repeated.

"He's the first to have done it and that's indicative of how remarkable it is," Deans said.

The 28-year-old began his unbroken run of matches for the Crusaders at the start of the 1999 season after transferring from the Blues.

Since then he has played in every game and has started in 97 of those 100 matches.

Crusaders: Scott Hamilton, Rico Gear, Casey Laulala, Aaron Mauger, Caleb Ralph, Cameron McIntyre, Kevin Senio, Mose Tuiali'i, Johnny Leo'o, Reuben Thorne (captain), Brad Mika, Chris Jack, Campbell Johnstone, Corey Flynn, Greg Somerville.
Reserves: Leon MacDonald, Daniel Carter, Andrew Ellis, Tanerau Latimer, Craig Clarke, Wyatt Crockett, Tone Kopelani.

- NZPA