Bye week timely for wounded Crusaders
A week off has come at just the right time for the dinged up Crusaders.
Three consecutive New Zealand derbies have taken their toll on the New Zealand conference leaders, who were forced to utilise third and fourth-string goal kickers Bryn Hall and Mitchell Drummond against the Highlanders on Friday night.
But coach Scott Robertson is expecting a bunch of reinforcements to report fit for duty when his side regroups at Rugby Park in Christchurch a week today, following the first of their two bye weeks. That includes captain Scott Barrett, who sat out their 33-13 bonus point win against the Highlanders in front of about 15,000 fans at Orangetheory Stadium, as they prepare for their round-six match against the Reds in Christchurch.
Fullback David Havili, who has handled the kicking duties so far this season while Richie Mo’unga nurses a groin compliant, took a knock to the knee during the match, after himself complaining of tightness in his groin before kickoff.
‘‘The bye, the timing is perfect for him. It [the groin] has been on and off . . . he played on with a bit of strapping and played incredibly well,’’ Robertson said. ‘‘Probably the form player of the comp, to captain the side and perform with such a high skillset . .. those high balls, flicks out the back, tough defensively. He’s pretty special.’’
The Crusaders were already operating without Quinten Strange (hand), Whetukamokamo Douglas (fingers), Will Jordan (groin), Oli Jager (concussion), Billy Harmon (knee), Ethan Blackadder (shoulder) and Fergus Burke (quad).
Only Blackadder, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, isn’t expected back soon. Exact time-frames for the remainder won’t be known until they’re back in camp, but Strange, Jager, Harmon and Jordan should be close to being available.
The Crusaders are also expecting Mo’unga to be fit enough to take back the goalkicking duties after the bye.
‘‘Give him a good 3-4 weeks off doing it.
‘‘Goalkicking is really important to him and he wants to be 100 per cent when he does,’’ Robertson said.
With 14 points to show from their first four games (3-1), the Crusaders are almost certain to return from their week off at the top of the New Zealand conference standings.
Improving execution, which cost them dearly in a 25-15 loss to the Chiefs, and denied them a bonus point in their 25-8 win against the Blues, remains a priority.