Deans ready to risk resting McCaw

Robbie Deans

The protection order remains on Crusaders' captain Richie McCaw.

In one of the more unusual selection chapters of the Super 14, McCaw has been given an extra rest this weekend. While his team is groggy after a draw and a loss, McCaw has been given a leave pass from Saturday's match with the Bulls in Pretoria.

He is not even on the bench, an absence which persuaded one punter within an hour of the news yesterday to place a $50,000 bet with the TAB for the Bulls to win at $1.95.

McCaw's influence is such that Crusaders officials must be getting twitchy about missing out on $500,000 profit from hosting a semifinal.

Meanwhile coach Robbie Deans said the benefits of further rest for the champion loose forward outweighed the immediate predicament.

"Richie is just flat. We are not convinced he is up where he needs to be and we do not want to compromise him and will give him another week off," Deans told the Herald.

"This is not a result of any All Black needs though it will help him there. This is an individual decision, nothing generic."

Deans confirmed McCaw would return to lead the Crusaders in their final pool game against the Brumbies in Christchurch.

That selection delay for McCaw is a risk, given the side's efforts in their last two games. Losses to the Bulls then the Brumbies could eliminate the Crusaders from their title defence.

All Black coach Graham Henry denied any involvement. He told the Herald he had no influence in Super 14 selections or knowledge of any injury to McCaw.

"It was nothing from me so they are obviously resting him," Henry said.

Before the Crusaders left Perth for the Republic, assistant coach Vern Cotter said South African sides targeted McCaw and they would not give the Stormers that chance.

That judgment has continued this week for the game with the Bulls.

Since the first five games this season, McCaw's involvement with the Super 14 has been intermittent.

He was on the bench for the Cats game and came on for the final 30 minutes. The Crusaders had a bye the next week.

He played full games against the Hurricanes and Waratahs before being replaced at halftime against the Cheetahs. He then played 62 minutes against the Force until he retired to the bloodbin with a head wound.

Since then McCaw has clocked up the air miles while Deans denied his captain had any ongoing health issues.

Lining up in the No 7 jersey week after week puts huge demands on the body but similar burdens have been placed on other Crusader forwards.

McCaw detests not playing and while Deans protested that the verdict to overlook his captain was a joint decision, something does not seem quite right.

The All Black captain-in-waiting has had similar stand-down episodes after previous head injuries.

In 2004 he suffered ongoing troubles after being concussed in a collision with Xavier Rush and missed the entire Tri-Nations series.

Last year McCaw missed a chunk of the Super 12 after being knocked out against the Bulls and stood down from the third test against the Lions because of more trouble.

On the Grand Slam tour last year, McCaw suffered a head injury against Ireland and was withdrawn from the next test against England.