Crusaders 2023

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.

Stargazer

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."

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300892176/hoping-for-a-miracle-crusaders-likely-to-lose-two-more-all-blacks-for-the-season

Duluth

Grace is becoming the new Blake Gibson

Kirwan

African Monkey

@Duluth Sad but true, and Blake Gibson never came back the same from them. Obviously for Grace's sake I hope he can reach his full potential, but they must be taking a lot out of him.

SBW1

Surely they bring in a few more academy guys. Harford surely must be getting a start.

Chris

@SBW1

They have some academy members training with them they have all season.

Harford wont start RM will play through now unless he gets injured.Harford has been training with the Crusaders for a few weeks now.

Chris B.

Nine gone for the season - Moody, Bower, Brewis, Newell, Bell, Dunshea, Grace, Havili, Reece?

Makings of a good team there!

If everyone was fit, I wouldn't have expected Brewis, Bell or Dunshea to be in the matchday 23s for the play-offs.

SBW1

@Chris He will get a start from the bench, is what you are saying? That is a descent outcome. Not expecting miracles from him, we do need to improve our depth at 10.

Chris

@SBW1

Not likely if Jordan is back at FB then Burke will be the bench option.

Unless Jordan or Ritchie go down injured.

SBW1

The way things are going the depth is already being tested.

The Silver Fern

Crusaders 2023