All Blacks’ skipper Richie McCaw to perform flankers’ role against the Stormers – Rugby updates
All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw has been assigned the flankers’ role in their forthcoming clash of Super Rugby against the Stormers on May 7 in Cape Town.
The veteran skipper has been playing at number eight in the current season but has been given back his old position after a foot injury.
The Crusaders have made large number of changes for their upcoming match as Super Rugby season is just ahead of the half-way mark. According to new positions Kieran Read, who was rested for their last two games due to an injury will play at number eight
whereas Owen Franks will start as tight head prop.
The Crusaders have played reasonably well in this competition as they had a severe blow in the start of the tournament, as they were deprived of their home matches due to the devastating tremor that hit Christchurch on February 22. Their home ground, AMI
stadium was affected by the quake and they were left nomads after International Rugby Board declared the venue unfit to host any fixture. Their five home matches were shifted to Nelson and other nearer sites.
However, the Crusaders have been hit hard by a large number of injuries including Richie McCaw. Their skipper McCaw was deprived of seven rounds due to multiple injuries. He was again ruled out of competition after a single appearance in Super Rugby 15.
Crusaders will take on the Stormers in front of their home crowd, who have grabbed second position on the point’s table. The number one derby of South Africa has the best win ratio in the matches they have played so far. They have produced eight victories
after nine contests and Crusader coach Todd Blackadder is well aware of their strength.
Blackadder welcomed the All Blacks skipper in to his side and hoped that his presence in the team will encourage the other players. However he admitted that the Stormers have a very strong defence so his side will have to be well disciplined on the day.
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