Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder will know more about the availability of Richie McCaw for next season's Super Rugby competition when his captain sees a specialist about his injured foot tomorrow.
After battling through the recent World Cup with increasing pain in his right foot - following a Super Rugby season in which he was also blighted with the problem - McCaw could need surgery and a fairly lengthy lay-off.
Blackadder will know more after tomorrow but was not expecting to have the use of McCaw in the early stages of the competition anyway due to a clause in his contract which allows him a late start to the Super Rugby season.
Dan Carter is another in the same position, although his recovery from a groin operation shouldn't be a factor. Blackadder said he would expect Carter to be available in early- to mid-March after his side kicks off their season on February 24 with a match against the Blues at Eden Park.
Blackadder had to make do without both McCaw and Carter for a fair chunk of the 2011 season in which they lost the final against the Reds in Brisbane despite playing all of their games away from home.
Matt Todd stepped up well at flanker and Matt Berquist, who has since left for Leinster, filled in effectively at first-five.
Now he will have to make do without Sonny Bill Williams, who has moved to the Chiefs. But what Blackadder lacks in X-factor at second-five, he is expecting his players to make up for in hard work.
"I have a lot of confidence in the fact that it's time for Ryan Crotty to step up,'' Blackadder said. "We also have Adam Whitelock who can play there and at a pinch, Tom Marshall.''
Crotty, 23, will relish the opportunity. His game time this year was limited due to the presence of Williams but the New Zealand under-20 player is a talented midfielder with a level head.
Whitelock, who has been named in the squad alongside three brothers George, Sam and Luke, has had his past two seasons wrecked by concussion and shoulder injuries and will simply hope to get an extended run on the field.
Tasman player Marshall played well in his debut season for the Crusaders, but his best position is probably fullback.
Robbie Fruean will hope for a more consistent season in 2012. The centre had a storming start to this year but his performances tailed off a little. Blackadder was encouraged by the fact that Fruean has been included in the Barbarians team which will play Australia at Twickenham in November which will keep his fitness levels high.
There were few surprises in the Crusaders squad announced today, with Highlanders lock Tom Donnelly's arrival to fill Brad Thorn's spot well signalled.
The only name to raise eyebrows was the inclusion of Ross Kennedy, the 29-year-old who played for Hawke's Bay in the ITM Cup last year. Kennedy has played for the Hurricanes and Highlanders but more recently for Eastern Province in South Africa.
With Chris Jack's exit for Japan, Kennedy will add extra cover at lock as a back up to Sam Whitelock and Luke Romano.
The Crusaders will make a welcome trip to Greymouth on the West Coast in February when they will play the Highlanders in a pre-season game. They will also play trial matches against the Hurricanes and Rebels.
2012 Crusaders squad
Forwards: Nick Barrett, Wyatt Crockett, Tom Donnelly, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Ross Kennedy, Quentin MacDonald, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Matt Todd, Joe Wheeler, George Whitelock, Luke Whitelock, Sam Whitelock.
Backs: Tyler Bleyendaal, Dan Carter, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Andrew Ellis, Robbie Fruean, Zac Guildford, Willi Heinz, Sean Maitland, Tom Marshall, Patrick Osborne, Tom Taylor, Adam Whitelock.
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