Concussed pair still on the sidelines
Still no Sam Whitelock and Ryan Crotty, but all the buzz was about Wallaby-in-waiting Pete Samu.
Concussions have prevented All Blacks Whitelock and Crotty, as well as Samu, from being named in the Crusaders side to face the Chiefs as the Super Rugby champions search for their 10th consecutive win on Saturday night.
But there is some good news, something that should always be cherished ahead of these clashes in Hamilton: Joe Moody returns from suspension, Israel Dagg is fit after suffering a knee injury a month ago and Jordan Taufua has recovered from a calf injury that prevented him playing in the 24-13 win over the Hurricanes last weekend.
Coach Scott Robertson has made a total of six positional changes to the side that started that match.
While the absence of All Blacks captain and lock Whitelock, especially, has to be a concern ahead of the upcoming test series against France – this will be the third weekend he has been absent because of a head knock – it was the topic of the uncapped Samu that was a major talking point.
And it was up to Robertson to do the yakking for Samu, who was at training after failing an HIA last weekend but not available to media.
This is what has unfolded so far in the Samu saga. The Melbourne-born back rower, who will join the Brumbies after this season, would have been named in the Wallabies squad on Wednesday night but couldn’t be included because New Zealand Rugby haven’t released him.
‘‘My view is the same as the one the NZRU have come up with, really,’’ Robertson said yesterday.
‘‘There is a process for it. We support Pete, either way, whatever happens with the decision.’’
Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach had earlier stated his organisation had no issue with Samu joining the Wallabies. Complicating the matter is the fact that under World Rugby rules Samu has dual eligibility, which entitles New Zealand Rugby to decline the Australian Rugby Union’s request.
Robertson stuck to his position of supporting New Zealand Rugby.
‘‘He is going to be a Wallaby at some stage isn’t he? If it is in June, and they decide it, then great – good on him. He’s an Australian who wants to play for Aust- ralia, he is good enough to be a Wallaby so we will see when that occurs.’’
Lock Whitelock, who has been appointed All Blacks skipper in the absence of the injured Kieran Read, didn’t train with the national squad when they held a camp in Christchurch on Tuesday but midfielder Crotty, who hasn’t played since taking a blow to the head against the Blues on May 19, was a participant.
Robertson suggested both were close to being fully fit.
‘‘It is a day to day thing, and today they are great. Maybe if we had played on Sunday they could have been available. It was that close,’’ Robertson said.
David Havili, Israel Dagg, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd (captain), Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Andrew Makalio, Wyatt Crockett, Donald Brighouse, Luke Romano, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Jone Macilai.
Crusaders: