Super Rugby
All Blacks rested from Super Rugby openers
ESPN Staff
January 12, 2015
Brodie Retallick will sit out the Chiefs' clash with the Blues in week one © Getty Images
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A number of All Blacks will sit out the first round of Super Rugby as the New Zealand Rugby Union looks to manage player workload ahead of the World Cup.

The Blues, Chiefs and Crusaders will all rest players in the opening week of Super Rugby while the Hurricanes and Highlanders - the latter of which have the round-one bye - will find other matches to meet the governing body's requirements. A stuff.co.nz report said the New Zealand Rugby medical staff and high performance manager visited the five Super Rugby franchises last week to map out a management plan.

The decision will have a major impact on the opening round clash between the Blues and Chiefs with the likes of Patrick Tuipolutu, Keven Mealamu, Aaron Cruden, Brodie Retallick and Liam Messam all set to watch from the sidelines.

The Crusaders, who welcome the Rebels to Christchurch in week one, will be without skipper Kieran Read and lock Sam Whitelock for the first five rounds after both men decided to activate "mini-sabbatical" clauses in their contracts. Fullback Israel Dagg won't play against the Rebels but veteran fly-half Dan Carter, who made his return from injury late last year, will be available.

Matt Todd will captain the Crusaders in Read's absence.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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