Crusaders sit out pair of ABs
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson isn’t about to drag the chain when it comes to ticking off All Blacks rest weeks.
Wing George Bridge and prop Joe Moody will sit out tomorrow night’s Super Rugby seasonopener against the Waratahs at Nelson’s Trafalgar Park, while hooker Codie Taylor and wing Sevu Reece will be injected off the bench.
Loosehead prop George Bower and Tasman wing Leicester Faingaanuku will start in place of Moody and Bridge as they complete the first of two weeks off (in addition to bye weeks).
The way Robertson sees it, acting now will make his job of juggling eight All Blacks a heck of a lot easier down the stretch.
Given the Crusaders’ bye weeks fall in weeks five and 11, Robertson need not worry about his All Blacks pushing the maximum of six consecutive games until down the stretch.
‘‘We’re mindful if we give them an early rest, later on down the track we can choose which game they are required to rest and our byes are quite nicely timed,’’ Robertson said.
‘‘Then we get a bit of a run with [the South African tour] before the finals. So we can manage them at the back end if we manage them at the front.’’
All Blacks Scott Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Jack Goodhue and Braydon Ennor are all set to start, with all but Ennor, who assistant coach Andrew Goodman confirmed completed his return-to-play minutes during the pre-season, limited to – provided circumstances allow it – 40 minutes tomorrow night.
‘‘It was harder last year with 13 [All Blacks],’’ Robertson said of the juggling act, which includes All Blacks being limited to 180 minutes across the first three rounds.
‘‘But we’ve still got eight . . . we try and make it as positive as we can and look at it as an opportunity for others and manage them coming back in so they’re peaking at the right time.’’
Robertson has named two uncapped players – flanker Tom Christie and lock/loose forward Cullen Grace – in his 23 to clash with the Waratahs, who are coached by Rob Penney, the man Robertson worked under for four years at Canterbury.
Tighthead prop Oli Jager, who has started just one match (2017) in three seasons, will get first crack in the No 3 jersey post Owen Franks, although Samoan international Michael Alaalatoa is on the bench.
All Blacks centre Goodhue has shifted inside to second-five eighth to fill the void left by the departed Ryan Crotty and will partner with Ennor for the third time.
The pair started last year’s Super Rugby final together against the Jaguares, having earlier provided a glimpse into the future against the Sharks last May, when an injury to fullback Will Jordan caused an early reshuffle.
Faingaanuku, who played in just one match during his rookie season a year ago, is the big winner a week after scoring two tries against the Highlanders in the pre-season finale in Wanaka.
Robertson admitted the 20-year-old, who on one violent run against the Highlanders smashed through five would-betacklers, had an ‘‘incredible’’ preseason and deserved his first Super Rugby start.
As for Grace, a Timaru Boys’ High School product, he earned a spot on the bench with Billy Harmon (knee), Quinten Strange (hand) and Ethan Blackadder (shoulder) unavailable.
‘‘He has been exceptional in the pre-season . . . he’s a great talent, and being able to cover two or three positions, it’s just a great opportunity for him. He’s ready,’’ Robertson said.