Rugby: McCaw back on the bench

Richie McCaw hits the turf after suffering a head knock against the Blues. Photo / Getty

Richie McCaw has recovered from concussion and returned to the bench for the Crusaders' encounter with the Reds in Christchurch on Friday night.

The All Blacks captain sat out last weekend's loss to the Hurricanes after being knocked out against the Blues the previous week, but his absence was always expected to be brief.

McCaw was symptom-free for much of the week leading up to the Hurricanes clash but was kept from the side and allowed another few days to recover.

While that recovery is complete he has been unable to force his way into Todd Blackadder's starting XV for Friday's match, with Matt Todd retaining the No7 jersey in a forward pack featuring two changes.

Dominic Bird returns from the wilderness to take his place at lock, given an opportunity to add to his 73 minutes this season as Luke Romano has been rested from the matchday 23.

Nepo Laulala will pack down in the front row beside Codie Taylor and Wyatt Crockett, with Alex Hodgman and Joe Moody providing prop cover from the reserves.

Nafi Tuitavake will play on the right wing in place of David Havili, while fellow wing Jone Macilai has been named on the bench and could enjoy his first Super Rugby action since breaking his arm in the pre-season.

The Crusaders will be desperate for a win against the 14th-place Reds, having slipped even further behind in the New Zealand conference standings after defeat against the Hurricanes.

The match will be their last home game in Christchurch this year and potentially the last ever for a quintet of players. Tom Taylor, Colin Slade, Dan Carter and Willi Heinz have all announced they will be heading offshore after this season, while McCaw has also indicated it could be his final campaign.

Crusaders team to play the Reds at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Friday night:

Tom Taylor, Nafi Tuitavake, Ryan Crotty, Dan Carter, Nemani Nadolo, Colin Slade, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (c), Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock, Dominic Bird, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Alex Hodgman, Joe Moody, Jimmy Tupou, Richie McCaw, Mitchell Drummond, Kieron Fonotia, Jone Macilai.