As if the Crusaders did not have enough problems, All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has a strained medial ligament in his right knee and will have to watch from the sideline for five weeks.

McCaw suffered the injury in the first half of the Canterbury Crusaders’ 6-0 loss to the Otago Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday. McCaw is likely to miss matches against the Western Force this weekend, New South Wales Waratahs (March 21), Stormers (March 28) and Bulls (April 3), the team said on their website (www.crusaders.co.nz).

The Crusaders have a bye the following week and the openside flanker could be considered for the first of their three games in South Africa against the Sharks 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,” Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said.

“He 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.”

The Crusaders also said that injured All Blacks hooker Corey Flynn is not expected to return until New Zealand’s domestic provincial competition in six months time.

Flynn broke his left arm in the second round of this year’s Super 14 against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.

Source: supersport.co.za