Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Anxiety over McCaw during World Cup justified

Updated at 6:46 pm on 2 November 2011

The anxiety over the All Blacks captain Richie McCaw's injured foot during the World Cup was fully justified it appears, with Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder saying he probably shouldn't have played the final few tournament matches.

In announcing the Crusaders squad for next year's Super Rugby season Blackadder says they should know how long McCaw will be unavaialable for after he sees a specialist tomorrow but expects he will play in the competition.

McCaw had screw inserted in his right foot in February and has had ongoing problems.

manwhile Blackadder says they're still hopeful of retaining a home ground in Christchurch with Rugby League Park still the preferred option.

All up there are 28 new players across the New Zealand franchises with five players returning from overseas.

The Hurricanes have Tusi Pisi and Tim Bateman, the Blues Rudi Wulf, the Crusaders Ross Kennedy and the Highlanders Tamati Ellison, where England number eight James Haskell has also signed with the Dunedin based franchise.

Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand