Crusaders 2023
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Super Rugby Pacific: Crusaders captain Scott Barrett granted All Blacks rest exemption as injuries ravage teams | Newshub
NZ Rugby has approved the Crusaders' request for the lock to bypass a rest week.
"As we’ve said previously, our 2022 All Blacks are on individualised load management plans," NZR high performance manager Mike Anthony said.
"We are in constant dialogue with Super Rugby Pacific coaches and there will be circumstances where we agree to tweak an individual player’s plan.
"In this case, the Crusaders have a high injury toll at lock, and we have agreed to change Scott’s plan."
The defending champions have been hit hard by injury, with seven All Blacks currently unavailable, and a locking crisis forcing them to seek some help.
"She's been a pretty rough run," Crusaders forwards coach Dan Perrin said.
The crisis in Christchurch saw the Crusaders take action, requesting an exemption to skip Scott Barrett's All Black rest week, as he is their only lock who isn't injured.
Already with six All Blacks on their injury list, Ethan Blackadder then became the seventh when he limped off Orangetheory Stadium with a hamstring injury.
"He's gonna be out for a couple of weeks at this stage," Perrin said. "Return to play not yet known but we'll get through to the bye week and assess him there." -
More updates:
More than a dozen Crusaders are sidelined through injury, including locks Sam Whitelock (broken hand), Mitchell Dunshea (chest), Quinten Strange (hamstring) and Zach Gallagher (hamstring).
All Blacks Ethan Blackadder (calf), David Havili (shoulder), Jack Goodhue (groin), Will Jordan (concussion related illness), Fletcher Newell (foot), Cullen Grace (shoulder) are also sidelined. As is Taha Kemara, Melani Nanai, Finlay Brewis, George Bell and Oli Jager.
If NZR had shot down the Crusaders’ request, assistant coach Dan Perrin said they would have been left with no choice but to start second-year player Dom Gardiner and 20-year-old Jamie Hannah, an academy member on a national training contract, who made his debut last week.
Tahlor Cahill, a member of the Crusaders under-20s, also trained with the team on Monday afternoon.The good news for the Crusaders is Perrin confirmed second rowers Strange and Gallagher, and loosehead prop Brewis, were on track to return for Friday week’s home game against Moana Pasifika.
More reinforcements are due back post bye (week nine), including Havili and Goodhue, as well as potentially Jordan.
Having capped nine new players through five weeks, the Crusaders are awaiting scan results to determine how long Blackadder is sidelined for, although Robertson last week indicated it would be two or three weeks.
They’re also yet to clarify the severity of Reece’s knee injury, sustained against the Blues in round four. -
Injury Update: Sevu Reece
Our medical team have provided an update on Sevu Reece following our game against the Blues in Round Four.
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Robertson also confirmed All Black and Crusaders loose forward Ethan Blackadder would be sidelined for six weeks with a calf tear.
Blackadder, one of 16 injured Crusaders, sustained the blow during the team’s bonus point win against the Brumbies last week.
Lock Sam Whitelock (broken hand) is on track to return after the team’s round eight bye. -
Jesus what's going? Not just a Crusader thing but it seems like it's injuries galore this season. Players/teams being more cautious given it's a World Cup year perhaps?
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@Crazy-Horse I have no evidence for it, but I suspect that the higher speed of the game may have something to do with it. At least in part.
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@Toddy said in Crusaders 2023:
Doesn't Blackadder get injured for a decent amount of time every year? He's just one of those players. Sucks as he's been playing well.
Probably a result of the way he plays. Body on the line and all that.
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@Canes4life Wonder if Macca Springer's gets an opportunity with Sevu out for the season.
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@SBW1 said in Crusaders 2023:
@Canes4life Wonder if Macca Springer's gets an opportunity with Sevu out for the season.
Hopefully Patafilo gets plenty of game time.
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@Canes4life said in Crusaders 2023:
@Toddy said in Crusaders 2023:
Doesn't Blackadder get injured for a decent amount of time every year? He's just one of those players. Sucks as he's been playing well.
Probably a result of the way he plays. Body on the line and all that.
See Tom Robinson.
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@george33 said in Next Blues, Crusaders, Hurricanes coach discussion:
@Chris what has happened to Melanie Nanai at crusaders? No game time yet I no blues and chiefs turned him down for contract but with so many injuries at crusaders no game time yet or is he injured?
He is injured again.
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@Stargazer Who is going to replace him next year? Sure we have Fergus Burke who is earmarked as his heir. I have a feeling we may see Harford get a run soon. Are we going to look for a new signing in the future?
