The Crusaders have named their team to face the Highlanders this weekend with Richie McCaw and Dan Carter both missing the match due to injury.
Carter has not played since the Sixth Round clash against the Sharks in London while Richie McCaw, who played 29 minutes from the substitutes’ bench against the Chiefs at Mt Maunganui last weekend, has been ruled out with a bruised foot.
McCaw trained on Monday and suffered soreness in his right foot overnight.
It is the same foot in which a screw was inserted following his stress fracture pre-season, but scans have ruled out any new bone damage.
Aside from McCaw Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has made several changes to the team that played last week for this week’s clash against the Highlanders at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.
Crusaders Head Coach Todd Blackadder said: “The right thing to do is to rest Richie at this stage. It’s not a serious problem.”
“A week away from playing will do him good and we’ll monitor him next week.”
Other changes come in the front row, where Wyatt Crockett replaces Ben Franks at loosehead prop and Quentin MacDonald comes in for Corey Flynn at hooker.
Joe Wheeler, the Tasman player, gets his first game time of the season following a shoulder reconstruction last year. He will start at Number 8, replacing Kieran Read.
Andy Ellis comes back in at halfback, replacing Kahn Fotuali’i while Matt Berquist retains his spot ahead of Dan Carter, who is recovering from a hamstring problem.
Adam Whitelock replaces Sonny Bill Williams at second-five and Tom Marshall comes on the right wing ahead of Sean Maitland.
Blackadder added: “The guys being rested have had a tough workload already this season and we have a lot of faith in the players coming in. It’s a great opportunity for them.”
Read, who has captained the team in every game this season, is left out of the match-day 22 due to his workload.
Crusaders:
1. Wyatt Crockett,2. Quentin MacDonald,3. Owen Franks,4. Brad Thorn,5. Chris Jack (vc),6. George Whitelock,7. Matt Todd,8. Joe Wheeler,9. Andy Ellis (c),10. Matt Berquist,11. Zac Guildford,12. Adam Whitelock,13. Robbie Fruean,14. Tom Marshall,15. Israel Dagg
Replacements: 16. Corey Flynn,17. Ben Franks,18. Luke Romano,19. Jonathan Poff,20. Kahn Fotuali’i,21. Sonny Bill Williams,22. Sean Maitland