Crusaders 2023
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Blackadder and Jager should be back next week not sure about Heinz.
Gardiner I am not sure about I haven’t heard he is injured.
I think Afoa will be able to play Finals due to having all those injuries Afoa was 4 th choice replacement behind Calder,Skyes -Martin and O’Neill.
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Despite injuries, Crusaders remain on course for 2nd spot ahead of Super Rugby Pacific playoffs
A lesser team than the Christchurch-based Crusaders might have been laid low by the barrage of injuries and other setbacks which have dogged the latter part of the regular season in Super Rugby Pacific. The defending champion Crusaders have lost three All Blacks props to injury during the course...
Havili and Grace both are out for the rest of the Super Rugby season, bringing to nine the number of Crusaders players who will miss the playoffs. At the same time Afoa and Crotty likely won’t be eligible because rules require players to have played in New Zealand by April 1 to qualify for the playoffs.
The Crusaders could apply for dispensation to play Afoa if they do not have a full complement of props.
“There are obligations for us to put a team out that’s safe and players are ready.” Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said. “Essentially the rule is someone who has played in New Zealand before April 1 is eligible to play for finals and John (Afoa) definitely wasn’t that.”
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@Chris-B said in Crusaders 2023:
Essentially the rule is someone who has played in New Zealand before April 1 is eligible to play for finals and John (Afoa) definitely wasn’t that.”
Thanks for posting. Pleased there is a rule like this. So Afoa shouldn't be available.
“There are obligations for us to put a team out that’s safe and players are ready.” Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said.
Yes Scott. There is. But expect to hear a lot about safety now. Rather than we just didn't like the quality of eligible props that were available.
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Newsflash - The Crusaders do something and certain posters on the Fern put a negative spin on it.
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@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders 2023:
If he can win the title from this position it will be a revered achievement comparable to the Highlander's scalp of 2015.
I'll just get the marble and chisel out then. Genuflections will follow the sainthood ceremony.
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@Toddy yep, this is supposed to be elite rugby, not like a club team getting thier super players back just for the finals.
I still think all the wtg players should be able to be called on by any team through the year.
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@SBW1 said in Crusaders 2023:
Wonder if they could bring in Levi Aumua. MP are out of the playoffs, he is with Ta$man at NPC.
That would be pushing it.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Crusaders 2023:
@SBW1 said in Crusaders 2023:
Wonder if they could bring in Levi Aumua. MP are out of the playoffs, he is with Ta$man at NPC.
That would be pushing it.
Is that an attempt at a joke?
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@taniwharugby said in Crusaders 2023:
I still think all the wtg players should be able to be called on by any team through the year.
This I can agree with. As long as they didn't play more than say 4-5 games with one other team And I thought this was the rule anyway. Surprised Sheck can't be called up by the Crusaders.
But Afoa playing in the finals is against the rules. My view it's a very good rule that should be enforced
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Not sure of the exact details of the deal done with Japan, it wouldn't be surprising if it did allow for bringing players over from Japan to Super rugby. Not sure how it would work, if we had more access to those players it would help when depth is tested.
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@Billy-Tell said in Crusaders 2023:
@Crazy-Horse said in Crusaders 2023:
@SBW1 said in Crusaders 2023:
Wonder if they could bring in Levi Aumua. MP are out of the playoffs, he is with Ta$man at NPC.
That would be pushing it.
Is that an attempt at a joke?
Huh?
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@SBW1 said in Crusaders 2023:
Someone will be thinking exactly like that and he would be a big boost for our chances in the finals. It is the sort of thing that would happen in the NRL.
Are you talking about Aumua? As a Saders supporter I would be embarrassed if they tried to get him.
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@SBW1 Aumua is contracted to MP until the end of the 2023 SR season. Not until the end of MP's participation in it. It's not going to happen and rightly so. It might have been different if he'd been signed by MP on a short-term injury replacement contract and had only played a few games for them, but he's still on a full contract with them.
