Veteran Hoeata on Crusaders’ fringe
As the Crusaders’ Super Rugby rookies sweated it out in the Christchurch sun, a former All Black at the other end of his career was also making an impact.
Three-test lock-loose forward Jarrad Hoeata is involved with the reigning champions as training cover and could benefit from the raft of injuries.
The 34-year-old impressed for North Harbour in this year’s NPC, after returning to New Zealand from a three-year stint with the Cardiff Blues in Wales.
Ravaged in their loose forward stocks, game-time will be available during pre-season as players on the fringes look to impress Scott Robertson and his coaching staff.
All Blacks captain Kieran Read is set to undergo surgery on Saturday to have a prolapsed lumbar disc in his back fixed, which is expected to rule him out for four months.
Tom Sanders, who has returned to the Crusaders from the Chiefs, will also be out for up to four months with an acute ankle fracture, which has been operated on.
Adding to the Crusaders’ loose forward issues is a broken arm to Jordan Taufua, who isn’t training, but could come back into consideration for their season opener against the Chiefs in Christchurch on February 24.
That is likely to mean increased pre-season opportunities for openside Billy Harmon and blindside Ethan Blackadder, both in their first season as Super Rugby contracted players.
Pete Samu and Scott Barrett, who can also play in the No.6 jer- sey, will be options at blindside to begin the campaign.
All Black props Joe Moody (shoulder) and Owen Franks (Achilles) both won’t be back until May, which will test the renowned depth of the Crusaders’ forward pack. Crusaders assistant coach Brad Mooar said they were assessing their options for possible loose forward replacements.
Hoeata, Manawatu’s Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, who was with the Crusaders last season, and Dylan Nel, who got a taste of NPC rugby for Canterbury, are all training with the side as injury cover.
Having Hoeata, a vastly experienced former Chief, Highlander, Taranaki and New Zealand Ma¯ori representative, in the mix had been huge for the younger members of the squad, Mooar said.
‘‘Everyone is an option [as a loose forward replacement] and it’s great to have Jarrad here.
‘‘Pre-season is not all about 18 and 19 year olds bouncing up the hill. It’s great to have a man like that in the mixer.
‘‘He’s covering for people, who are away or injured at the moment, and again part of the picture of what post-January could look like.’’
Mooar also revealed halfback Mitchell Drummond had a minor knee clean out on Thursday, but will be back on deck in January.
The knee problem had never prevented Drummond training or playing, but he wanted the procedure done to help improve his movement and ease any pain.
‘‘It’s something he’s had for a while. He decided to have a look at it.
‘‘It’s not a major . . . it got a little bit uncomfortable and he just had a wee tidy up in his knee.’’
Mooar wasn’t concerned by the Crusaders’ heavy injury toll with players returning at different stages of the pre-season.
The Crusaders, minus their All Blacks and injured players, got through some hill running on Friday, charging up the steep Glenstrae Road in Mount Pleasant, while sucking up the sea air.
Strength and conditioning coach Simon Thomas said it wasn’t anything too taxing with the real work starting in the New Year.
The Crusaders break for Christmas next Friday and link up again in early January.