Super Rugby
Whitelock blow for Crusaders
ESPNscrum Staff
April 4, 2011
Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock wrestles with the Sharks' Steven Sykes, Crusaders v Sharks, Super Rugby, Twickenham, England, March 27, 2011
Sam Whitelock holds off the Sharks' Steven Sykes at Twickenham © Getty Images
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All Blacks and Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock will be out of rugby for up to eight weeks with a medial ankle ligament tear suffered in his side's recent clash with the Sharks at Twickenham.

Whitelock, who has played 13 tests for New Zealand since his debut against Ireland last year, injured his left ankle in the second half of the Crusaders' 44-28 Super Rugby victory in London on March 27 and is likely to have surgery this week, ruling him out for six to eight weeks.

Meanwhile, first five-eighth Dan Carter and No.8 Kieran Read, who picked up hamstring and neck injuries in the same match, are both progressing well and are in contention to play against the Bulls in Timaru on Saturday.

Flanker Richie McCaw has recovered from a stress fracture in his foot and trained fully with the team on Monday, but he will not make his season debut against the Bulls, a Crusaders statement said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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