McCaw in injury scare

The Crusaders came through their 38-15 First Round Super 14 victory against the Highlanders at the weekend without any major injuries. But there was a minor injury scare involving captain Richie McCaw and a stress fracture has forced wing Tony Koonwaiyou out of rest of the tournament.

Injury scare: Richie McCaw

The Crusaders said that McCaw will be doing "restricted training" on Monday due to a minor knee strain.

However, the injury to Koonwaiyou is a major setback to the young wing. The 22-year-old Aucklander has a stress fracture to the front (anterior cortex) of his right shin and will be replaced by Canterbury's Stephen Brett, who is currently a member of the Crusaders wider training group.

Crusaders doctor Tony Page said it was hard to predict how long an injury of this nature would take to heal but this type of stress fracture usually took a few months to heal fully.

"The injury became apparent earlier this month and Tony has been in a splint for the past two weeks. As you can imagine it's an incredibly frustrating injury for someone who makes their living from their speed," Page said on Monday.

Crusaders coach Robbie Deans said the injury was obviously disappointing for Koonwaiyou, who chose to join the Crusaders in the draft this year after two years drafted to the red 'n blacks.

"He's indicated to us that he's keen to stick around and utilise the support of our medical staff and that's great as far as we are concerned," said Deans.

"And for Stephen Brett - well he's gained an opportunity and he's earned it."

Another injury setback is Scott Hamilton, who left the field at Jade Stadium after colliding with Highlanders fullback Ben Blair after suffering a knock to the face.

Another of the Crusaders' medical staff, doctor Deb Robinson, said Hamilton would not be training early in the week and would be assessed day by day as to his availability for Saturday's match against the Reds.

Robinson added that Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett had sprained his right ankle and would also not be training early in the week.

The Crusaders admitted that their win of the Highlanders wasn't a polished performance, lacked composure at times and certainly wasn't the perfect game.

But the coaching staff of Robbie Deans and Vern Cotter, as well as McCaw, all agreed at the post match press conference that while it was pleasing to get the five points against a solid Highlanders side there was still plenty to work on in training this week.

"It's a start" said McCaw about the four tries to none victory at Jade Stadium.

"There's a few things to work on. We lacked composure at times in the line-out but it was pleasing to get across the line and take our opportunities."

Head coach Deans was satisfied to collect a bonus point from the opening round clash.

"We're pretty stoked to come away with a win in round one against a Highlanders team who are a very good side and that will become evident over time."

Assistant coach Cotter said while the performance wasn't polished he was reasonably happy with the set plays and the amount of quality ball they got from the scrum in particular.

"The line-outs were still a bit difficult and we'll need to do some work on receiving the restarts but I was very very pleased with the physical contest. It's just hard to get things polished technique wise."

Deans said neither team were ever going to perfect in their first round hit out.

"It's easy to underestimate how difficult it was out there. At scrum time we did really well against what is essentially an international front row.

"They [the Highlanders] are  a side that is going to be there or thereabouts. They'll cause a lot of grief for teams as they have a bit more finish out wide now."

The match was the first in a Crusaders jersey for Canterbury recruit Kevin Senio and Deans described his debut as "outstanding".

"He showed great awareness. He really threatened and to score one try himself and set up another one - we got returns."

The area of the match Deans was most happy with was the defensive effort especially in a second half spell where the Highlanders threw everything at them.

"It was an element of the game we were really looking for."

The Crusaders travel to the heat of Brisbane for their second round clash with the Reds on Saturday.