All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams and flankers Matt Todd and Jonathan Poff became the latest casualties for the battle-scarred Crusaders ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby clash with the Chiefs.

Williams (knee), Todd (thigh) and Poff (rib) joined All Blacks Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis and Sam Whitelock, and Sean Maitland, Kahn Fotuali'i, and Adam Whitelock on the growing list of walking wounded.

The only good news for Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder was that All Blacks lock Brad Thorn had recovered quicker than expected from his calf strain and would come off the bench against the Chiefs in Napier.

More good news could be coming next week, however, with All Blacks and Crusaders captain Richie McCaw indicating that he was ready to follow Dan Carter and re-sign with the New Zealand Rugby Union.

Blackadder said Williams had not recovered from the knee injury which forced him from the field in the 33-20 loss to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last weekend.

"It hasn't got any better," Blackadder said.

"They drained some fluid off it last night, but it's not worth the risk.

"By all accounts he'll be right for next week (against the table-topping Queensland Reds) so there's no way we want to compromise it."

The livewire Todd, who had played every game in his first Super season, was ruled out with a corked thigh and fellow flanker, Poff, who is bound for London Wasps, suffered a rib injury at training and was replaced in the reserves by Joe Wheeler.

Blackadder has made only two changes to the team which looked short on energy and enthusiasm when succumbing to the Cheetahs after holding a one-point lead at halftime.

Auckland recruit Brent Ward will be on the right wing with Ryan Crotty and Robbie Fruean moving in a place to accommodate the absent Williams.

The front row rotation continues with one All Blacks prop, Wyatt Crockett, replacing another, Owen Franks.

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