At a glance
was sort of thinking maybe a year down the track, how long is this going to take? I was given five weeks and I just really set a goal to be back. I knuckled down, did my rehab and stayed focussed.’’
Thompson started running about three weeks ago and was close to being fit enough for last week’s semifinal. ’’It’s feeling 100 per cent, it’s just whether the lungs hold up,’’ he said.
He’s also been called into the Maori All Blacks to replace injured Declan O’Donnell (arm), and will fly to Chicago on Sunday to prepare for the team’s game against the USA Eagles on November 4.
Known for his uncompromising defence and hard running, Thompson will no doubt have to be on his game against the Makos, who will likely start David Havili and Kieron Fonotia in the midfield in pursuit of their first title.
In his final game in charge of Canterbury before taking over as Crusaders coach, Robertson has given prop Daniel Lienert-Brown a start in place of Alex Hodgman, while Australian lock David McDuling starts at lock in place of Scott Barrett, who will fly to Chicago with the All Blacks on Friday for the end-of-year tour.
Robertson had originally hoped Barrett, who has been named as injury cover, would be able to stay and play, but accepted the ‘‘All Blacks take precedence’’.
‘‘For us to get someone to go away with the All Blacks means a lot, we celebrate it,’’ he said.
‘‘There is a lot of chahooing, a good cheer and a good clap goes on. With the Barretts [Scott and Jordie], that’s probably the longest clap we’ve had all year with both of them getting in. It was pretty special for them as a group.’’
About 10,000 tickets have so far been sold for tomorrow night’s final.