Crusaders suffer another blow as Richie McCaw ruled out
All Blacks captain and a true rugby legend Richie McCaw has been ruled out for six weeks. He is suffering through a stress fracture on his right foot and will be missing his introduction to the Super 15 season.
He saw a foot surgeon and was recommended a surgery, in which a s***w has to be inserted into his right foot bone. Crusaders’ captain developed the pain while running in a fitness test at Rugby Park on Monday and today was reported to have an unexpected
surgery. A scan confirmed his stress fracture in right foot’s fifth metatarsal and a bone bending outwards of his toe.
He was already expected to have rest in first two rounds of Super Rugby against Hurricanes in Wellington and Blues in Auckland. This was not a decision, in fact an exercise of All Black rotational policy in a World Cup year. Now he will not be playing for
at least six weeks including his pre and post surgery break.
Richie McCaw is disappointed but feeling positive about the early diagnose of the injury.
He said, “The damage is clearly disappointing but it's not liable to be one that will trouble me in the long term.”
Talking about his surgery he said, “I'll have the operation and then get on with my rehab and hope for turning out for the Crusaders when I'm given the all clear by the medical staff.”
He will be playing his first match against New South Wales Waratahs. Until then his fellow back rower and loose forward, Kieran Read will be leading Crusaders in the absence of the All Black.
The next match Crusaders have to play is an away fixture for them against Auckland Blues. The tournament starts on February 18, whereas Canterbury based Crusaders will kick off on February 19 in Auckland. Crusaders made it to the semi finals last season
and are expecting to cross that milestone and bring the title home.
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