Rugby: McCaw, Ellis fit for Reds clash

Captain Richie McCaw and halfback Andy Ellis have been cleared to play in the Crusaders Super 14 match against the Reds in Christchurch tonight.

McCaw passed his various tests yesterday afternoon, after suffering a mild concussion while playing against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein two weeks ago.

Ellis had been suffering from sore ribs but trained fully during the week, including yesterday's captain's run.

First-five Stephen Brett was also in question earlier in the week but was cleared to play on Wednesday.

TEAMS

Crusaders:

Leon MacDonald, Jared Payne, Tim Bateman, Ryan Crotty, Adam Whitelock, Stephen Brett, Andy Ellis, Thomas Waldrom, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Jason Macdonald, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves:

Daniel Perrin, Bronson Murray, Michael Paterson, Jonathon Poff, Kahn Fotuali'i, Sean Maitland, Hamish Gard.

Reds:

Quade Cooper, Brando Vaaulu, Charlie Fetoai, Anthony Faingaa, Rodney Davies, Ben Lucas, Brendan McKibbin, Leroy Houston, Andrew Shaw, Ezra Taylor, Adam Byrnes, Van Humphries, Laurie Weeks, Sean Hardman (captain), Ben Daley.

Reserves:

Saia Faingaa, Greg Holmes, Robert Simmons, Scott Higginbotham/Andrew Shaw, Richard Kingi, Ben Tapuai, Anthony Sauer.

- NZPA