Crusaders' Filipo flies home, McCaw rested

Crusaders lock Ross Filipo has been forced home from their Super 14 tour of South Africa with injury.

Filipo will be sidelined for two weeks with a groin injury and he has been replaced by lock Craig Clarke, who was to join the team in Cape Town ahead of their match against the Stormers in Cape Town on Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, captain Richie McCaw will be rested for the Stormers match, with coach Robbie Deans believing it would benefit the star flanker.

Deans told Newstalk ZB that McCaw was in need of a break and had the utmost confidence in backup flankers Johnny Leo'o and Tanerau Latimer. McCaw was also rested from the sixth-round match against the Chiefs.

The team will be named this evening (NZ time).

- NZPA