AT A GLANCE

‘‘It feels like it has been an age.’’

With those eight words Joe Moody started the conversation about his return to Super Rugby. His nightmare run with injuries is officially over.

Loosehead prop Moody hasn’t played a first-class game since representing the All Blacks against Argentina in New Plymouth last September.

A couple of significant breakages had chewed a hole in his rugby calendar; first there was the badly dislocated shoulder, which required surgery, and then he mangled a finger in his first game back for his Lincoln club five weeks ago.

‘‘The tendon ripped a bit of bone off. It is called a ‘mullet finger’,’’ Moody said in reference to the freak accident that happened at a picturesque country ground in Loburn, North Canterbury.

Those sunny surrounds would have been in contrast to Moody’s mood when, having driven himself to a hospital in Christchurch, he was told it wasn’t a minor problem. ‘‘I think I got hooked-up in a jersey as I was cleaning out, and we sort of rolled together. At the time I didn’t realise the seriousness of it. It was frustrating but it is part of the sport, part of the job I have got.’’

Now everything is starting to click into place. Moody has been named to start for the Crusaders against the Waratahs in Christchurch on Saturday night, a week before the All Blacks squad to play France in June is revealed.

Moody is an amiable fellow during a interview, but like his fellow New Zealanders he wants to be like a cat with a bird against the Tahs. There is a 38-game winning streak over the Aussie counterparts to extend, after all. And no-one in their right mind could forget that the Hurricanes are breathing hot air on the Crusaders’ necks on the competition log.

Being injured meant Moody didn’t have to analyse footage of his next opponents on the laptop each week, but he didn’t use the extra time to stare at the TV set. Joe Moody

‘‘I have used [the break] it as a bit of a freshening-up time, and I haven’t really been watching any rugby other than our games.’’

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has mixed-up his selections. Although wary of the Waratahs forward pack, he said All Blacks tighthead prop Owen Franks required a break after starting three games following surgery on his Achilles tendon. Back-up loosehead Tim Perry still has a hamstring strain and was scratched.

Second five-eighth Ryan Crotty has also been given a rest, which means the requirement that he skip two games – at the behest of the All Blacks – is complete. ‘‘Ryan has got a couple of niggles,’’ Robertson said. ‘‘And obviously working closely with the All Blacks and NZ Rugby – making sure players are in good nick come June.’’

Fullback David Havili was available in the wake of the head Crusaders: George Bridge, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Tim Bateman, Manasa Mataele, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, Pete Samu, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Andrew Makalio, Wyatt Crockett, Donald Brighouse, Mitchell Dunshea, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Braydon Ennor.