Crusaders 2023
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'Does put a damper on things': Crusaders concerned with All Black duo
The Crusaders comprehensive 42-18 victory over the Waratahs has come with a cost with two more All Blacks under injury clouds heading into the final round.
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@SBW1 said in Crusaders v Waratahs:
Grace and Havili injury concerns is a worry.
Yeah - even though we have people coming back who can cover for them, I'm pretty sure both would have been in our starting XV (mine anyway) so we'll be a bit weaker for their likely absence and already a bit weakened with plenty of others out for the season. At some point that will start to take a toll on performance.
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@chchfanatic said in Crusaders 2023:
However I have no idea who the new coach is. The main rumours I’ve heard is Ross Filipo or Andrew Goodman.
Goodman has certainly been talked about as a future Crusaders coach and I've heard some chat about him being appointed this time (from people speculating).
What seems a bit odd to me, is that it was pretty clear that Razor was on his way out after this season - one way or another. If Goody was the preferred option, I would have expected him to have stayed in Christchurch. Google throws this up while I'm trying to find out how long he signed at Leinster for.
Leinster boost with Andrew Goodman staying despite interest from Crusaders
Leinster are set for a major boost, as the highly regarded Andrew Goodman is expected to remain part of the province’s coaching staff next season.
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According to Clubrugby.co.nz and despite announcing his retirement after Wellington's NPC title win, Pek Cowan is the next in line if any more props go down for the Crusaders.
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Crusaders assistant coach James Marshall has conceded it will take a miracle for David Havili or Cullen Grace to feature again this season.
The pair will have scans on Tuesday before the Crusaders can be sure of the severity of Havili’s hamstring injury and Grace’s dislocated kneecap, but they’re preparing to defend their title without the midfielder and No 8.That would result in the Crusaders’ list of players done for the season due to injury ballooning to nine. They’ve also just farewelled young guns Macca Springer, Noah Hotham and Taha Kemera, who have joined the New Zealand under-20s ahead of their World Cup campaign.
Ahead of Saturday night’s regular season finale against the Hurricanes in the capital, the Crusaders have used a staggering 45 players this year, including 13 debutants.
Marshall confirmed flanker Ethan Blackadder, who hasn’t played since tearing his calf against the Brumbies on March 24, wouldn’t return against the Hurricanes, but he would train this week.
“He will be out training, needs to get a full week of training in before he returns. So, the aim for him is finals [week] one.”
If Havili is indeed finished for the year, it’s a significant blow to the Crusaders’ kicking game ahead of the sudden-death stage of the season.
Havili has an excellent short kicking game and, equipped with a booming punt, is often asked to unleash bombs from deep inside his own half.
Jack Goodhue and Dallas McLeod are the Crusaders’ primary options to replace Havili in the No 12 jersey.
“Yeah, I just think other guys are going to have to step up there. Obviously, Jack and [centre] Braydon both have left foots, so we might have to use those a little bit more,” Marshall said.
“A little bit more will come on Richie [Mo’unga] and Will [Jordan]. Our kicking nines, hopefully Willy [Heinz] will be back for those games, and [Mitchell Drummond] Drummy. I think everyone is just going to have to step up a little bit more."
