Crusaders set to farewell a trove of players on Saturday night
The Crusaders say the departure of a group of cherished players will have them playing with the same sort of emotion the Jaguares are likely to bring to the Super Rugby final in Christchurch.
Short-priced favourites to claim a third title on Saturday and a 10th in total, the Crusaders are wary of the sort of passion the underdog South Americans will bring to their maiden appearance in the decider.
While the Crusaders are renowned for their methodical, almost tunnel-vision approach, flanker Matt Todd said the looming last game for a number of acclaimed teammates will play a part this week.
Japan-bound All Blacks captain Kieran Read is the longest serving departee, having debuted in 2007.
Midfield back Ryan Crotty, prop Owen Franks and flanker Jordan Taufua have all notched a century of games in red and black while Todd himself has yet to commit to next season.
Captain Sam Whitelock is also taking next year off under a sabbatical in his NZ Rugby contract but will return in 2021.
Last year’s side didn’t have the same post-season cleanout although players admitted they had been inspired to win for retiring prop Wyatt Crockett, the most capped player in Super Rugby.
Todd said sadness enveloped the team on Tuesday when Crotty was ruled out of the final with a fractured thumb suffered in last week’s 30-26 semi-final win over the Hurricanes.
“You’re gutted for him. It was his last game for us and he’s a massive part of the Crusaders. And I know how much the Crusaders mean to him,” Todd said.
“You hurt for him but he’s still around the team and as positive as ever so that will be on our minds through the week.”
Crotty and fellow-All Black Scott Barrett (finger) are both missing and likely to be replaced in the starting side by newly selected All Blacks back Braydon Ennor and lock Mitchell Dunshea respectively.
Todd expected the newcomers to step in seamlessly.
“You can’t replace world class players just like that,” he said.
“But we trust the whole squad. Everyone’s had opportunities this year and they’ve performed so I guess you plan for that all year.”
– AAP
WATCH: Matt Todd discusses how the Crusaders will handle their latest injury setbacks
Comments on RugbyPass
Aha. An Irishman with logic!
85 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
19 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
29 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
1 Go to commentsABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
226 Go to commentsWould’ve, could’ve, should’ve, didn’t.
226 Go to commentsKok will become a fan favourite
1 Go to commentsI am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to commentsCan’t wait for the article that talks about misogyny in Ireland. Somehow.
19 Go to commentsI would like to see a rule change, when the attacking team is held up over the try line, by allowing the defensive team to restart a goal line drop out releases the pressure for the defensive team, but what if the attacking team had to restart a tap 5m out from the defensive team it gives the attacking team to apply more pressure, there are endless options for the attacking side and it will keep the fans in suspence.
2 Go to commentsLess modern South African males predictably triggered.
19 Go to commentsMy heart is with Quins, but the head is convinced Toulouse have too much. Ntamack is back, his timing and wisdom has been missed.
1 Go to commentsWow, what a starting line up for the Sharks) Tasty up front,kremer vs Tshituka or venter …fiery ,,Lavannini ,,will he knobble etzebeth? Biggest game for belleau?
1 Go to commentsIt was rubbish to watch, Blues weren’t even present. Did what they had to do, nothing more. Should be better next week against canes.
1 Go to commentsI’ve just noticed that this match has an all-French refereeing team. Surely a game like this ought to have a neutral ref? Although looking at the BBC preview of the Saints game, Raynal is also down as reffing that - so there may be some confusion about who is reffing what.
1 Go to commentsIf Havili can play anywhere in the back line, why not first 5. #10.
11 Go to comments