The Crusaders back Stephen Brett says despite a long injury list at the Super Rugby franchise, there's still enough quality and experience in the team to challenge for the title.
Captain Richie McCaw suffered knee ligament damage in last weekend's loss to the Highlanders - their third straight - which could see him out for up to six weeks.
He joins hooker Corey Flynn, Casey Laulala, Sean Maitland and Kade Poki among those already on the sidelines.
But Brett says there's still plenty of old heads in the team, like Kieran Read and the returning Leon MacDonald, that are capable of guiding the team back into form.
