Jordan Taufua has issued Richie McCaw's tormenters a terse warning.

Last weekend Rebels players Nick Stirzaker and Scott Higginbotham were cited by the Sanzar commissioner - and in the case of Stirzaker an on-field yellow card was issued - for booting Crusaders' flanker McCaw.

Stirzaker copped a one-match suspension for stamping McCaw in the groin region, but Higginbotham, who had clipped McCaw's head as he ran towards a ruck, escaped censure because the Sanzar judicial hearing chairman Adam Casselden ruled he couldn't be satisfied his actions were deliberate.

Taufua, who following his aggressive display off the bench in the 20-10 loss to the Rebels last weekend is expected to start at No 8 against the Highlanders on Saturday night, reckons it is up to McCaw's team-mates to watch his back.

And he is also keen to dish out some retribution if the All Blacks captain continues to be unfairly hammered.

"He's always a target, he's a big player and everyone wants to smash him on the field. It guess for us, we just have to back him up," Taufua noted.

"We know he's a hard man, so once he gets him we just have to support him, especially as a loosie, to try to work off him.

"If anyone tries to hurt him him at the weekend, then I will definitely keep a note. And if they come my way I will hurt them."

Taufua knows what it is like to cop a kick to the head; last year Sharks flanker Jean Deysel took exception to him holding his foot and stamped his face. Deysel was red carded and Taufua, after receiving several stitches inside his mouth, kept playing.

Although the citing commissioner believed Higginbotham's actions were a red-card offence - the incident wasn't sighted by the match officials and he went unpunished during the game - Crusaders assistant coach Aaron Mauger said it was out of their hands.

"They take all the factors into consideration when they make the decisions at the judiciary, so that's their prerogative. They know all that part of it and we just get on what with we do.

"Obviously Richie is one of those guys that is targeted by every team we play against. It doesn't concern him, he just gets on with it and does his job."

Casselden noted McCaw gave evidence that Higginbotham apologised. McCaw accepted it was genuine.

Higginbotham said he miscalculated his jump and made accidental contact with McCaw's head.