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Highlanders without All Blacks star for Crusaders derby while youngster ruled out for nine months
The Highlanders will be tasked with taking down the Crusaders this Saturday without star playmaker Josh Ioane.
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The one-cap All Blacks first-five isn’t the only injury concern for the Dunedin franchise, with promising young wing Sam Gilbert ruled out of action for nine months after sustaining an ACL injury in last Saturday’s 27-24 defeat to the Blues in Auckland.
Ioane is yet to take part in the new Super Rugby Aotearoa competition after being a late withdrawal ahead of the opening match of the league against the Chiefs earlier this month.
The 24-year-old picked up a groin injury on the eve of the 28-27 upset win at Forsyth Barr Stadium, and it is that injury that kept him out of the Blues clash at Eden Park three days ago.
Head coach Aaron Mauger indicated after that match that Ioane was on track to be available for selection for the highly-anticipated South Island derby, which will be held in Dunedin for the first time in over two years.
However, assistant coach Tony Brown revealed on Tuesday that Ioane will likely remain inactive this week.
“Josh is probably unlikely to be available this week,” Brown said. “He’s still got a bit of a groin issue.”
As a result, it’s likely Mitch Hunt – who has been used as the Highlanders’ No. 10 all year and shone against the Blues with a try and 14 points – will likely retain his role as the side’s pivot against his former side this weekend.
As for Gilbert, the 21-year-old left the field in considerable discomfort during the first half of the Blues encounter after he landed awkwardly after fielding a high pass.
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Along with Nehe Milner-Skudder, the Canterburian was called into the Highlanders squad as an injury replacement player leading into the Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign to cover for the likes of Connor Garden-Bachop, Tevita Nabura and Thomas Umaga-Jensen.
The @crusadersrugby have been hit with a significant injury blow as young All Blacks prospect Cullen Grace prepares for a stint on the sideline. #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/pZLE4Flqxi
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 30, 2020
Brown confirmed no replacement player has yet been named, but ruled out the prospect of recruiting former All Blacks wing Julian Savea, who is a free agent after returning to New Zealand following his time with French club Toulon.
“Sam has unfortunately torn his ACL and he’ll be out for nine months,” Brown said.
“It’s a massive blow to his aspirations I suppose and frustrations for us, but we’ll move on.
“I thought Sam’s trained really with us and earned his starting appearances
“He’s quite a big boy and that’s something we needed out there and I thought he played really well.
“We know that he can be better as well so it’s a bit of shame at the moment, but hopefully he’ll be back on the field in next year’s comp.”
News of Ioane’s and Gilbert’s unavailability for the Crusaders clash comes after the announcement of Cullen Grace’s fractured thumb, which will keep him sidelined indefinitely.
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on the @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments