All Blacks Carter and Dagg to miss Crusaders-Chiefs derby

All Blacks Dan Carter and Israel Dagg will miss the Canterbury Crusaders' Super Rugby derby against the Waikato Chiefs on Saturday as the seven-time champions' tough start threatens to worsen.

Injuries to fly-half Carter and explosive fullback Dagg, plus New Zealand prop Owen Franks' suspension for striking an opponent, have caused headaches for the Crusaders ahead of the New Zealand derby.

The Crusaders dug deep last week to beat the Otago Highlanders and bounce back from their shock opening-round loss to the Melbourne Rebels, when Carter limped off and has yet to recover.

But the win came at a cost, with Dagg straining his left thigh and fiery prop Franks suspended for two weeks after a forearm smash on front-rower Josh Honeck.

The depleted Crusaders now face a Waikato side buoyed by the return of code-hopper Sonny Bill Williams as he looks to cement his place in the All Blacks' World Cup squad.

Williams sat out last week's win against the Brumbies with a late injury flare-up after an inspiring display in the season-opening victory against the Auckland Blues.

All Blacks flanker Sam Cane and world player of the year Brodie Retallick in the second row also return for the Chiefs.

The Queensland Reds will hope controversial back James O'Connor can help draw a line under a torrid week for the team when he makes his long-awaited debut. O'Connor can repay the Reds' faith against the Otago Highlanders after recovering from a knee problem.