Hamilton to miss Stormers clash

The Crusaders have lost the services of Scott Hamilton for this Friday's game against the Stormers after the wing returned to New Zealand on Monday.

The Crusaders have lost the services of Scott Hamilton for this Friday's game against the Stormers after the wing returned to New Zealand on Monday.

Hamilton returned to Christchurch after the win over the Bulls and cited personal reasons for the return home. He will miss the game against the Stormers but is expected to link up with his team-mates in Perth the week after.

Having crushed the reigning Super 14 champions, the Bulls, on Friday the Crusaders have flown to Cape Town to begin preparations for Friday's game.

Hamilton apart, coaches Robbie Deans and Mark Hammett expect to have a full squad to select from for the Stormers tie.

A success in Cape Town, a venue where the Crusaders lost two years ago, would allow the side to complete its first unbeaten tour of South Africa since the class of 2002 – who fashioned Super rugby's only clean sweep of wins to date.