Crusaders 2020
-
Injury update:
Ennor sustained the [toe] injury against the Blues before the team’s bye, when someone trod on his foot in the 26-15 win. A couple of days after it was confirmed vice-captain David Havili (thumb) was done for the season, the good news is Ennor could be back next week against the Chiefs. ‘’It’s taken probably a week longer than we thought it would take to recover...the plan is next week all going well, but maybe a couple of weeks,’’ Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said. ‘’He just got landed on. It was hard for him to walk for the first week but it’s freeing up quite a bit now and his return to run stuff has been really good. He’s got all the imaging and stuff, it’s a feel thing, it’s getting better every day.’’Unlike Cullen Grace, who required surgery to repair his broken thumb (Bennett’s fracture), Robertson confirmed Havili would not go under the knife but would still need between six and eight weeks to mend. That’s nothing compared to his Ta$man teammate Ethan Blackadder, who had knee surgery on Monday night and will miss the coming Mitre 10 Cup. Robertson expects him back for Super Rugby next season.
-
@shark said in Crusaders 2020:
Really unhelpful in terms of blindside flanker, and particularly when it comes to height. Where's Ethan Roots?? He should now come into the picture, with Tom Sanders.
As for fullback? I guess we'll just have to make do with Will Jordan
The worst thing about Havili'i being out is he was also 10 cover so now we'll have to use the midget or a green Fergus Burke.I was also hoping to see Razor give the Havili/Goodhue midfield a go with a Jordan, Reece, Bridge back 3.
-
-
-
@shark We could see Cameron or Mo’unga go to 2nd 5
-
@ACT-Crusader Fuck me that would be entertaining to watch haha
-
@ACT-Crusader From the article with the injury updates:
In Havili’s absence, wings Sevu Reece and George Bridge will provide midfield cover ... -
-
@Machpants it’s still a fair point and was not meant as a slight to the Canes. Canes for a while haven’t had a lot of size in their locks or loose forwards.
-
The group now includes Ta$man players – flanker Jacob Norris and wing Tima Fainga'anuku – who have joined the squad as injury replacements for Ethan Blackadder (knee) and David Havili (thumb).
It remains unclear if centre Braydon Ennor will be over his foot injury in time for Saturday’s game, although Goodman said he was increasing his running load..
No 8 Whetukamokamo Douglas is also in a race against time to be declared fit to play the Chiefs, having sprained his MCL in the second half of the game last weekend, Goodman confirmed..
-
That quote is from this article (I think):
-
The tough decisions that will define Will Jordan's career: 'I think they knew that they couldn't offer me what I was looking for'
Will Jordan has always been destined for big things. Instead of looking for more action elsewhere, however, the talented outside back is more than happy to work his way up through the ranks and bide his time with the Crusaders.
“When I came off contract at the end of the last season, I had a few other teams who came calling and I had really a tough decision to make around what I wanted to do in the future,” said Jordan.
“I’d had a few opportunities with the Crusaders but I knew game time would still be pretty hard to come by with the likes of George, Dave and Sevu, those guys in the outside backs.
“It was definitely something I considered, heading to the Landers or the Blues. I did have a chat with Rangi [Blues head coach Leon MacDonald] when I was off-contract last year. He was a big reason for me heading up to Ta$man as well, obviously with him having a played fullback at a very high level for both the Crusaders and the All Blacks. He’s a great coach and you can see he’s doing great things for the Blues now. Full credit to him for he’s done for their culture and their team.
“Both are great teams with great cultures, but I think at the end of the day the opportunity to keep playing for my hometown province, a team that’s had a good track record of producing All Blacks and developing players was something that was too tough to turn down.”
While the Highlanders were believed to be the side closest to tearing Jordan away from his home franchise, it wasn’t to be. Instead, he signed a new three-year deal with the Crusaders mid-way through last year..
-
-
@mofitzy_ said in Crusaders 2020:
Bower is NZ born and uncapped, yet I've never heard him discussion for higher honours. Is he lacking in any area? Or just too untested?
He's from Taita, nuff said. He's getting bloody good for such a late bloomer eh! Came outta nowhere.
-
