News in Brief
Knee sprain blow for McCaw
Scrum.com
March 7, 2009
The Crusaders' Richie McCaw limps away from Carisbrook after suffering a knee injury, Highlanders v Crusaders, Super 14, Carisbrook, Dunedin, New Zealand, March 7, 2009
Crusaders skipper Richie McCaw limps away from Carisbrook following his side's Super 14 defeat to the Highlanders © Getty Images
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  • Crusaders captain Richie McCaw suffered a medial ligament knee sprain during his team's 6-0 defeat to the Highlanders in their Super 14 clash at Carisbrook.

    The All Blacks skipper will undergo further tests before a further statement is made on Monday. There was more injury woe for coach Todd Blackadder, whose side have now lost three matches in a row, with wing Jared Payne suffering a sprained ankle.

  • Former Springbok captain Bobby Skinstad has backed the controversial South African invasion at Saracens. Incoming director of rugby Brendan Venter has already told 12 contracted players they are no longer required as they do not feature in his plans for next season, and it is expected Saracens will recruit from overseas to fill the vacancies.

    "There is going to be uproar, but rugby needs it. We got a bit of negative press in South Africa when I was involved, but we are going to have a global season pretty soon," he told PA Sport. "There is incredible talent in South Africa at the youth level and they don't get to play and they should be competing. If they are replacing English players I can see why there is a problem, but if they are better than them and it if is a global season, then it is a good thing."

  • National League One high-flyers Leeds Carnegie suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of local rivals Doncaster on Saturday. A try in each half from Dan Smith and Bevon Armitage put the Knights on course for a surprise 27-12 victory.

    Fly-half Jamie Lennard weighed in with 14 points courtesy of three penalties, a drop-goal and one conversion. Leeds remain on course for promotion back to the Guinness Premiership - they lead the table by eight points from Exeter who have a game in hand with six rounds of action left this season.

  • Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal has confirmed that he is interested in signing England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson. Boudjellal has revealed he has been in contact with Wilkinson's father Phil but fears his Top 14 club, who are unlikely to qualify for next season's Heineken Cup, cannot offer the playing opportunities Wilkinson is seeking.

    "We are in contact, as are Bayonne and Perpignan," Boudjellal said. "But contrary to what has been said, we are not the favourites (to sign him) because Jonny Wilkinson has European aspirations that we cannot offer him."

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