As if losing their first two games of the 2014 Super Rugby season wasn't bad enough, the Crusaders now must contemplate life without Richie McCaw for at least 2 months after the All Blacks captain broke his thumb in the 35-24 loss to the Blues on Friday night.
McCaw is only likely to make his return at the start of May when the Crusaders host the Brumbies in Christchurch - until then, the Crusaders do have two byes but have to play the Chiefs again in the return fixture after games against the Stormers, Rebels, Hurricanes, Lions and Cheetahs.
Matt Todd is expected to deputize in his absence. With regular Crusaders captain, Kieran Read also back from injury, the Crusaders should be ok even without the All Blacks' greatest player and having to claw back from a 0-2 record. After all, the Crusaders didn't have McCaw until June last year so should be very used to life without him.
Elsewhere, New Zealand's openside stocks continued to soar. While usual deputy Sam Cane is still injured, the likes of Matt Todd, John Hardie, Shane Christie, Ardie Savea and Luke Braid have had strong starts to their seasons and if they can continue their form, national selection is a real possibility.
Which begs the question, does New Zealand rugby still need Richie McCaw?
Richie McCaw is without a doubt the greatest player the ABs have ever had but he is now 33 and having played well over 100 tests, his body is now much more fragile even if the mind is still quite tough. All great players must go through the autumn of their careers and McCaw is clearly seeing coloured leaves right now even if it seems he could go on and on - he did hint that he could retire after the 2017 Rugby World Cup.
However, unlike 1998 when the ABs collapsed when Sean Fitzpatrick, Zinzan Brooke, etc. all retired at once, this crop have just keep going strong and seem to be even stronger without our most experienced All Black.
It means even when McCaw along with fellow Crusader Dan Carter retire, ABs fans will not be panicking one iota.
So to answer the question? No we probably don't need McCaw, but it's sure good to know that he's still available for selection if he was up for it.
And this 8 week break might turn out to be a blessing and bonus for McCaw and New Zealand rugby.
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