McCaw out for Crusaders

All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock is back from injury for the Crusaders' last match before Super Rugby finals while Richie McCaw is again out.

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw

All Blacks star Richie McCaw will miss the Crusaders clash with the Highlanders with a rib injury. (AAP)

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw will miss the Crusaders' crucial final round Super Rugby clash with the Highlanders in Christchurch on Saturday.

McCaw has been given another week to recover from a rib injury suffered in last month's Test series against England.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has made just one change to his team with All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock returning after his late withdrawal due to a calf injury before last week's 21-13 win over the Blues.

Whitelock's return means Jimmy Tupou goes back to the bench.

Dan Carter has again been named at inside centre, where he started last week, with Colin Slade at five-eighth.

Seven times Super Rugby champions the Crusaders are already guaranteed a finals spot, but need a bonus point win to clinch the New Zealand conference.

The Waratahs have wrapped up the overall top spot, with the Crusaders second on points differential from the Sharks.

Both teams have amassed 46 points from 18 weeks of competition, and if the Crusaders can maintain their second place, they will proceed directly to a home semi-final.

"That will require us to beat the Highlanders and beat them well," Blackadder said.

"The Highlanders are also a gutsy side, and we know that they will be putting everything they've got into this encounter. We are going to have to put in the performance of the season to come out on top."

The Crusaders won't know their fate until after the Stormers-Sharks clash in Cape Town, the last game of the final round of pool play on Sunday morning (AEST).

Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Kieron Fonotia, Ryan Crotty, Dan Carter, Nemani Nadolo, Colin Slade, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (capt), Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock, Dominic Bird, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Corey Flynn, Joe Moody, Nepo Laulala, Jimmy Tupou, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Tom Taylor, Johnny McNicholl.


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