Hunting season for Richie McCaw is officially open.

Blindside flanker McCaw was booted by Nic Stirzaker and Scott Higginbotham in separate incidents during the Rebels' shock 20-10 win over the Crusaders at AMI Stadium on Friday night, escalating concerns the All Blacks captain will be maliciously targeted during World Cup year.

Halfback Stirzaker was yellow carded by referee Nick Briant for stomping McCaw in the groin region in the third minute, while No 8 Higginbotham escaped censure for kicking him in the head in the 50th minute.

After the match the citing commissioner deemed, in his opinion, that the incidents involving Stirzaker and Higginbotham met the red card threshold for foul play. Both happened when McCaw was laying at the back of a ruck and were referred to Sanzar duty judicial officer Nicholas Davidson QC.

Stirzaker, who appeared to be frustrated that McCaw was laying in his way, stamped McCaw in a downward motion and was sinbinned after Briant viewed several replays on the big screen. He was later suspended for a week.

Rebels No 6 Sean McMahon was also yellow carded for a tip-tackle on Matt Todd but was not cited.

The episode involving Higginbotham was not sighted by Briant or his assistant referees. Match footage clearly shows Higginbotham running to join a ruck and instead of avoiding McCaw, who was lying in his path, he clipped his head with his left boot.

McCaw, clearly angered by the clumsy footwork, immediately remonstrated with Higginbotham - who appeared to deny it was a deliberate kick - before rejoining the defensive line.

After the game McCaw and Higginbotham were seen to have an amicable chat and Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said it was his understanding that the Rebels skipper apologised for what happened. However, Blackadder said that didn't make such incidents acceptable.

"But it's not a coincidence, is it, when two guys are cited afterwards," Blackadder said. "It's just disappointing to see. There is just no need for it.

"The Rebels certainly showed they were the better side on Friday night and didn't need to resort to those tactics to win. But at the end of the day the officials will deal with it."

Blackadder isn't the only one who will be concerned about McCaw being subjected to foul play. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will hope the 137-test veteran, isn't removed from World Cup contention because of it. McCaw, 34, has often been targeted by opponents in Super Rugby and a test career stretching back to 2001 with the majority of the incidents happening in breakdowns or when he was on the ground.