Richie McCaw will miss the next eight rounds of Vodacom Super Rugby after breaking a thumb in the Crusaders' defeat to the Blues in Auckland on Friday.

The injury will hit the Crusaders hard as they fight to get their season back on track after consecutive losses, but assistant coach Tabai Matson said they were lucky to be able to call on someone like Matt Todd to step up and fill the void in the No 7 jersey.

'It's a massive loss for us,' Matson said. 'Obviously, to know you aren't going to have the experience of a guy like Richie out there on the paddock is concerning, but we are still very lucky in the fact he will be a part of the environment and be on hand to help out and give his thoughts when they are needed. But it's a great chance for Matt Todd to step up.'

The Crusaders host the Stormers on Saturday.

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