The Crusaders will have to do without their influential captain, Richie McCaw, until at least April, while he recovers from a surgery to his foot.
The World Cup winning captain had surgery after the World Cup last year to remove the screw inserted to rectify an earlier fracture.
Another stalwart in Dan Carter will miss the opening rounds as the flyhalf is recovering from a groin injury sustained during the World Cup.
The Crusaders head to South Africa for two matches against the Lions in Johannesburg on March 31 and Bulls in Pretoria on April 7, before they host the Stormers on April 14, and all three teams could face the Crusaders without these significant players.
hopefully he’ll be delayed pemanently.