KO’d Crotty may return
Ryan Crotty is in contention to return to the All Blacks midfield just three weeks after his playing future was the hottest topic in town.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen yesterday described Crotty and flanker Sam Cane as ‘‘symptomfree’’ after recent head knocks. They will be monitored ahead of the test against Argentina in Nelson on Saturday.
Sonny Bill Williams is definitely out, with Hansen saying the second five-eighth would return to contact training this week and potentially be considered to face South Africa in Wellington on September 15.
Crotty was knocked unconscious early in the Bledisloe opener in Sydney on August 18 when he was involved in a sickening head clash with midfield partner Jack Goodhue.
Whether Crotty, who has a long history of head knocks, should call time on his career became the most polarising sporting topic in the country following a social media post from his sister Shea Crotty, a former Tall Ferns basketballer, that read: ‘‘I want to see my brother grow old and able, not battling the brain forever.’’
Hansen admitted to being ‘‘concerned’’ for his midfield rock the day after the heavy concussion. But when the All Blacks roadshow arrived in Nelson yesterday ahead of the Rugby Championship test, Hansen confirmed Crotty is in consideration to pull on the No 12 jumper that was worn by Ngani Laumape in the second Bledisloe test.
If he does play, it would be a homecoming of sorts. Crotty has strong links to Nelson; his father Steve played for Nelson Bays in the NPC.
Cane is also expected to be available for the test against the Pumas after he suffered a head knock at Eden Park.
‘‘Ryan and Sammy are both tracking along nicely. We’ll make decisions about them during the week,’’ Hansen said.
Hansen was keeping his cards close to his chest when asked about the make-up of his side to take on the Pumas but he did confirm Williams will not play.
Williams, who is still recovering from a shoulder injury, is in Nelson with the squad but the best case scenario for a return would be the Springboks. ‘‘We’ve just got to get him back into contact and make sure that his shoulder is OK, so we’ll give him a bit of time to do that,’’ Hansen said.
The Pumas, who lost their opening match of the Rugby Championship to South Africa 34-21 before reversing the result the following week 32-19, will relish their underdog tag against the All Blacks – who are two-fromtwo in the Rugby Championship courtesy of 38-13 and 40-12 wins over the Wallabies.
Hansen said the Pumas’ win over South Africa will not have any bearing on who the All Blacks pick for their first test match in Nelson.
‘‘We’ve got complete faith in whoever we pick so everyone understands that if you’re the number one guy and you’re picked you’ve got to play like the number one guy and if you’re the number two guy and get picked you’re got to play like the number one guy so it makes no difference,’’ he said.