Wellington - Dan Carter has been ruled out of the Crusaders' Super 14 rugby match against the Cheetahs in Christchurch on Saturday due to a hip joint injury.
The All Black flyhalf sustained the injury earlier in the week, but it was only expected to be a short-term problem, the New Zealand team said in a statement on Friday.
Reserve Dan Bowden would replace Carter in the starting lineup, allowing Tu Umaga-Marshall to make his match-day debut on the bench, the team added.
The Crusaders have won six out of their eight games and lie second in the table. The South Africa-based Cheetahs are second from bottom and all but out of semi-finals contention.
Teams:
Crusaders:
15. Colin Slade, 14. Jared Payne, 13. Tim Bateman, 12. Ryan Crotty, 11. Sean Maitland, 10. Daniel Bowden, 9. Kahn Fotuali'i, 8. Thomas Waldrom, 7. Richie McCaw (captain), 6. George Whitelock, 5. Sam Whitelock, 4. Chris Jack, 3. Ben Franks, 2. Ti'i Paulo, 1. Wyatt Crockett
Substitutes: 16. Daniel Perrin, 17. Owen Franks, 18. Brad Thorn, 19. Jonathan Poff, 20. Willi Heinz, 21. Tu Umaga-Marshall, 22. Zac Guildford
Cheetahs:
15. Hennie Daniller, 14. Danwel Demas 13. Corné Uys, 12. Barry Geel, 11. Jongi Nokwe, 10. Riaan Viljoen, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Davon Raubenheimer, 7. Barend Pieterse, 6. Hendro Scholtz, 5. Walti Vermeulen, 4. Izak van der Westhuizen, 3. WP Nel, 2. Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1. Coenie Oosthuizen
Substitutes: 16. Ryno Barnes, 17. Wian du Preez, 18. Nico Breedt, 19. Philip van der Walt, 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Meyer Bosman, 22. Robert Ebersohn