The All Black and Crusaders captain Richie McCaw will be back in time for the clash with the Sharks, but Andy Ellis will not be fit to play.

Richie McCaw returns from a six-week layoff as the Crusaders gain momentum and challenge for a top-four finish. Coach Todd Blackadder has been forced to start Ryan Crotty in midfield due to Casey Laulala’s broken arm, a move that will see Tim Bateman shift to No 13. Bronson Murray will oust Owen Franks at tighthead.

Ellis has been bracketed with Kahn Foutali’i as he is still feeling the effects of a rib ailment incurred in the win over the Stormers.

“Andy is running around and doing everything we’re asking but we want to leave it until the last minute before making a decision,” said Blackadder.

All Blacks lock Ross Filipo and Kade Poki are back on the bench. Micahel Paterson will cover McCaw at flank given George Whitelock’s injury.

Crusaders - 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Jared Payne, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Colin Slade, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Andy Ellis/Kahn Fotuali’i; 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 6 Kieran Read, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Bronson Murray, 2 Jason Macdonald, 1 Wyatt Crockett. Subs: 16 Daniel Perrin, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Ross Filipo, 19 Michael Paterson, 20 Fotuali’i/Tyson Keats, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Kade Poki.

Source: keo.co.za

Pic: tvnz.co.nz

The Barbarians are to face the current Tri-Nations champions the All Blacks at Twickenham on December the 5th.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, a member of the star-studded Barbarians side that lost 11-18 to Australia at Wembley last December, that showed that the ’scratch’ team could be competitive against a Test nation, said he was looking forward to playing against them instead.

“I had a great time playing for the Barbarians last year and to now get the opportunity to play against them is going to be pretty special,” the captain of an All Black side currently number one in the world rankings, explained.

“Matches like this are rare and as there is such a long tradition of matches between the All Blacks and the Barbarians, it’s going to be huge for the team,” McCaw said.

Micky Steele-Bodger, president of the Barbarians said: “The confirmation of the Barbarians v All Blacks fixture in December is really good news as so many of the matches between us have proved to be memorable, containing some unforgettable moments of brilliance.

“As a club we are looking forward to another great challenge and in every sense, a marvellous occasion.”

The All Blacks have played the Barbarians on nine occasions. The match in 1973 in Cardiff, which the Barbarians won 23-11, featured what many fans consider to be one of the greatest tries ever, when legendary Wales scrum-half Gareth Edwards crowned a brilliant length of the field team move with the game’s opening score.

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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.”

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A very unlikely combination of a New Zealand Captain and a ex-Springbok coach will face Australia on the 3rd December in the Olympic Centenary Match.

“New Zealand captain Richie McCaw has been confirmed as one of the leading international star for the Barbarians team to face the Wallabies, with the BaaBaas to be coached by World Cup-winning Bok mentor Jake White.

Confirmation of McCaw’s participation in the match comes just days after he captained his country to a 28-24 victory over Australia in the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup decider at the weekend.

White, who guided the Boks to World Cup glory last year in France, said Wednesday: “It is a wonderful privilege for me to be invited by the Barbarians and to be involved in this very special match.”

Barbarians president Micky Steele-Bodger said: “As well as these top quality players from overseas, we also have an agreement with Premier Rugby in England for the release of several players to represent us in this match.

“We are hopeful that top players from elsewhere in the British Isles will also be involved,” he said.

“We will have a truly international side to take on Australia.”

Last December the Barbarians beat South Africa 22-5 at Twickenham.

This latest high-profile match for the Barbarians, Rugby Union’s most prestigious invitational side, celebrates 100 years since the Olympic Games, which return to England’s capital in 2012, were first staged in London.

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