Flanker Richie McCaw of the All Blacks will lead the Canterbury Crusaders in their Super 12 rugby semifinal against the Wellington Hurricanes at Christchurch tomorrow.
McCaw signaled his recovery from a serious head injury, sustained five weeks ago, when he came off the bench to play briefly in the Crusaders' last regular season match -- also against the Hurricanes -- last week.
He was confirmed in the Crusaders' starting lineup Wednesday, taking the place of Johnny Leo'o who scored two tries in the win over the Hurricanes.
All Blacks center Casey Laulala has missed selection for the match because of a hamstring strain. Caleb Ralph will play at center, inside winger Rico Gear, whose two tries against the Hurricanes last week helped him equal Australian Joe Roff's record of 14 tries in a Super 12 season.
Goalkicking flyhalf Daniel Carter returns to the starting lineup, displacing All Blacks veteran Andrew Mehrtens, who drops to the reserves bench.
The Crusaders have named an all-All Blacks front row with Dave Hewett returning at loosehead and Greg Somerville moving to tighthead, flanking hooker Corey Flynn.
The Hurricanes Wednesday omitted Conrad Smith from their starting lineup, as the All Blacks failed to overcome a head injury he sustained in a clash of heads last week with Ralph.
Tane Tuipulotu will take Smith's place, playing outside All Blacks captain Tana Umaga who returns to the starting lineup.
Chris Masoe replaces Ben Herring on the open-side flank and All Blacks loose forward Jerry Collins returns on the blindside.
Neemia Tialata will hold up the tighthead side of the scrum, Tony Penn will play loosehead and veteran Gordon Slater was included on the bench in the absence of Tim Fairbrother who has a shoulder injury.
Slater, a former Hurricanes captain, played his last Super 12 match in 2002.
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