Richie McCaw and Dan Carter prepare to take Crusaders bows
Friday's match against the Queensland Reds could be All Black duo's last for Canterbury outfit as they prepare to make career moves
All Blacks stars Richie McCaw and Dan Carter are likely to play their last home matches for the Crusaders when they meet the Queensland Reds at the start of the 13th round of Super Rugby on Friday.
It will be the Crusaders' last match in Christchurch in the regular season. They play the Hurricanes at their secondary home ground at Nelson in round 16 and, currently in ninth spot, have little chance of a home play-off.
Stranger things have happened. We could have another game back here if we do it right
Carter, who is in his 13th season with the Crusaders, will join French club Racing Metro after the World Cup, which kicks off in September.
The 34-year-old McCaw, who has accumulated more than 110 Super Rugby caps across 15 seasons, has yet to make a definitive statement on his future, but is likely to retire after the World Cup.
Carter, the world-record scorer in test rugby, has been kept out of the fly-half role this season by fellow All Black Colin Slade and will start again at inside centre. Slade is also likely to be playing his last match in Christchurch before heading overseas, as is full back Tom Taylor.
McCaw will start on the bench as he returns from a head injury. The New Zealand test captain says the Crusaders must ignore any emotional elements of the match to concentrate on strengthening their bid for a place in the play-offs.
