The New Zealand All Blacks will have to play without their captain Richie McCaw in their effort of retaining the Tri-Nations trophy this season.

McCaw has been ruled out for up to six weeks with an ankle injury.

The inspirational openside flanker limped off the field after 30 minutes of the All Blacks' 44-12 win against England in Christchurch on Saturday.

Medical examinations cleared McCaw of any bone-break but a sprain and a ligament tear in his left ankle, the same injury that kept team-mate Daniel Carter out of the Super 14 for six weeks earlier this year.

McCaw is not expected to require surgery.
He will miss the opening four matches of the All Blacks' Tri-Nations campaign, two against South Africa in Wellington and Dunedin on July 5 and July 12 and two against Australia, coached by his former Crusaders coach Robbie Deans, in Sydney on July 26 and in Auckland seven days later.

Coaches Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith will decide his replacement later.

AFP

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