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Crusaders issue injury updates on their three fallen All Blacks

By Tom Vinicombe
Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, David Havili, Codie Taylor. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

For much of last weekend’s win over the Chiefs, the Crusaders had to cope without three of their seasoned performers thanks to injury.

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Second-rower Sam Whitelock, who had initially been named to start in the Super Rugby Pacific semi-final clash, was withdrawn at the last minute due to a thumb injury and played no part in the victory. Codie Taylor and David Havili, meanwhile, lasted for just 40 minutes of action before heading to the sidelines.

While hooker Taylor had strained his hamstring in the first half and didn’t return to the field after the halftime buzzer, Havili took a blow to the head early in the piece and a sizeable bump was visible for all and sundry to see before the utility back left the field almost immediately after the second half kicked off.

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Reacting to the first All Blacks squad of the season.

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Reacting to the first All Blacks squad of the season.

According to Crusaders assistant coach Tamati Ellison, it’s normal to expect a few sore bodies and niggles after facing off with the Chiefs, and while all three players feature against the Blues in this weekend’s grand final, it could be a race against time for the two forwards.

“There’s normally a few [injuries],” he said on Tuesday. “First training day on the grass today so we’ll monitor all the boys and make sure we can give them all a chance to be where we need them on Saturday.

“I’m not 100 per cent sure [what Whitelock’s injury is]. It’s a decent injury so whether he can play with it or not, he was hitting hard last week and got really close so we’ll give him every chance again.

“[Taylor] will be the same. We had our first training day today. Everyone’s keen so as we do with every injury, we’ll just monitor them and give them every chance.

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“The egg [on the side of Havili’s head] is gone. Davey’s good. He’ll train again this week and he’s looking forward to [playing].”

While the Crusaders weren’t sure whether or not Argentinian international Pablo Matera would be available, due to facing the Sanzaar judiciary, Ellison said the Pumas flanker would train as normal.

“Pablo will prep like he does every week. Might give him the Argentinian training week, which is a lighter load for him – he likes to express himself on game day. Unconfirmed there but he’ll prepare as usual.”

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The judiciary has confirmed overnight that Matera is free to take to the field against the Blues and, as such, will likely suit up on the blindside flank for the Crusaders.

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On the other side of the team sheet, Ellison said that it was important for the Crusaders to shut down the wizardry of Blues superstar Beauden Barrett – although there are normally at least a few players in every team you have to look out for.

“Whether it’s Tate McDermott a couple of weeks ago, playing really well for the Reds, or Beaudy this week, we respect all the players we’re playing against and make sure we have a good plan around going after them,” said Ellison.

“[Barret’s] good eh? He sees the game really well – he has for a long time. We’ll have to be on high alert for sure there. They’ve had a good season, the Blues, we’re looking forward to it.”

The Crusaders will take on the Blues at 7:05pm NZT on Saturday evening at Eden Park in Auckland.

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j
john 48 minutes ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

But here in Australia we were told Penney was another gun kiwi coach, for the Tahs…….and yet again it turned out the kiwi coach was completely useless. Another con job on Australian rugby. As was Robbie Deans, as was Dave Rennie. Both coaches dumped from NZ and promoted to Australia as our saviour. And the Tahs lap them up knowing they are second rate and knowing that under pressure when their short comings are exposed in Australia as well, that they will fall in below the largest most powerful province and choose second rate Tah players to save their jobs. As they do and exactly as Joe Schmidt will do. Gauranteed. Schmidt was dumped by NZ too. That’s why he went overseas. That why kiwi coaches take jobs in Australia, to try and prove they are not as bad as NZ thought they were. Then when they get found out they try and ingratiate themselves to NZ again by dragging Australian teams down with ridiculous selections and game plans. NZ rugby’s biggest problem is that it can’t yet transition from MCaw Cheatism. They just don’t know how to try and win on your merits. It is still always a contest to see how much cheating you can get away with. Without a cheating genius like McCaw, they are struggling. This I think is why my wise old mate in NZ thinks Robertson will struggle. The Crusaders are the nursery of McCaw Cheatism. Sean Fitzpatrick was probably the father of it. Robertson doesn’t know anything else but other countries have worked it out.

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A
Adrian 2 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

14 Go to comments
T
Trevor 5 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 9 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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