McCaw Gone for 5

[jargan83]

Crusaders captain Richie McCaw out for five weeks with knee injury

From correspondants in Wellington, New Zealand

March 09, 2009

Crusaders and All Blacks captain Richie McCaw is likely to be out of action for at least five weeks after straining the medial ligament in his right knee.

McCaw was injured in the first half of the Crusaders' 6-0 Super 14 loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday, their third consecutive loss.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said he hoped to have McCaw back for his side's three-match trip to South Africa, which begins against the Sharks in Durban on April 18.

"It's never a good time to lose one of the best players in world rugby, but it's a good opportunity for George Whitelock to step up.

"He (Whitelock) played very well against the Brumbies when Richie was ruled out earlier in the season and I'm sure he'll do very well in our next game against the Force at Christchurch on Saturday."

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...002381,00.html

[Stone Cold]

bugger...was hoping to see him in action against our three open side flankers...

[benny]

bye-bye saders...

no carter plus no mccaw = no saders.

[mudskipper]

Never good to see a nasty injury like knees go... He was stuck standing in the middle of the ruck when players from both teams flooded the break-down... Its goingto be a tough year for the All Blacks... Carter is not due back for sometime either...

[Cookie]

Whitelock did play well against the brumbies......

[lara93]

devvss

[James]

So Flynn, McCaw, potentially MacDonald, Laulala, Poki, Payne and Maitland are out. Ouch. Talk about the best time to play the Crusaders.

[jono]

what were the odds before and after this announcement?

[jargan83]

So Flynn, McCaw, potentially MacDonald, Laulala, Poki, Payne and Maitland are out. Ouch. Talk about the best time to play the Crusaders.

You said that about the Blues game as well
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[GIGS20]

IN keeping with my new feeling that the Force are the new Hurricanes, this couldn't be worse news for the , now the boys will spend the rest of the week sipping pina Coladas and taking walks along the beach, confident in the knowledge that without McCaw they've got the 'Saders in a bag.......only to get smashed by a bunch of hasbeens and several of the Canterbury under 12 reps.......on the bright side, the Sharks still look strong, so they're a chance for a win because we are expected to lose!

It's a crazy world!

[The Lone Hydrangea]

Weird, last year they werent allowed to leave their Queenstown digs, this year the coaching collective decide to send them off on a few days R&R, after a decidely limp effort against the Chiefs. You would think they needed a red hot poker up their collective coits to wake them up. Times have changed.

[James]

You said that about the Blues game as well
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Yeah I know and the Force cocked it up. Here is their chance to make ammends and finally put them to the sword. Would you rather those guys were playing?

[jargan83]

I'm not fussed who they put out on the park, when we play well we can beat anyone
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[robyn <3]

I hate to bring this up, but weren't half those guys rested during the preseason game where we screwed up? When we played their rookies?

I want the good crusaders to come out and we are the underdogs. Why we play so much better as the underdogs, I do not know, but I really don't care right not. I want to get back in the top 4!!! TLH I agree, after that performance on Friday jeez those guys shouldn't be allowed to leave the training field, let alone their digs!

[James]

I hate to bring this up, but weren't half those guys rested during the preseason game where we screwed up? When we played their rookies?

Yeah but we were comfortably in control until we started subbing players off. We also didn't have guys like Sharpie, Gits and Crossy playing. Play good, play bad, whatever I just want to get a win first of all.