Crusaders squad light on experience

RICHARD KNOWLER

Scott Robertson is already juggling his roster.

While the Crusaders’ first Super Rugby match against the Chiefs in Christchurch isn’t scheduled until February 24, coach Robertson had to plonk his sensible hat on when selecting a 21-man squad for the Brisbane Global Tens tomorrow and Saturday.

For starters he is forbidden from selecting any All Blacks who toured Europe late last year, which immediately prevents him from picking 13 of the men who returned from duty without serious injuries.

Then Robertson had to account for the fact that blindside flanker/ No 8 Jordan Taufua is recovering from the arm he broke last year, and that another backrower, Pete Samu, couldn’t be risked given regular No 8 and All Blacks captain Kieran Read won’t return from his back injury until mid-April.

It is expected Taufua and Samu will play against the Highlanders in the final warmup game in Southland on February 15.

What this means is that Robertson has named a Tens squad that is light on experience. To be captained by outside back George Bridge, it

includes a dozen players not listed in the original squad of contracted players.

Robertson reckons he copped an earful from those players who were instructed to stay in Christchurch, rather than get the chance to have a run around in the Queensland sun at Suncorp Stadium.

‘‘Everyone has asked, everyone wanted to be involved,’’ Robertson said. ‘‘You have got Seta [Tamanivalu] all over me [saying] ‘look, I want to go and play’ but with the return-to-play protocols with NZ Rugby and the collective agreement, it makes it tricky for us.’’

Under the collective agreement the All Blacks cannot play for 12 weeks, making them ineligible for this tournament. Tamanivalu was the only All Black to be included in the group that finished as beaten finalists to the Chiefs in Brisbane last year. No players boasting test experience have been included in this squad.

Given they did so well, prior to stumbling 12-5 to the Chiefs in the final, the Crusaders shouldn’t lack self-belief.

Unlike some teams who will lift the dust covers off some old campaigners, which allows Carlos Spencer, Pita Alatini and Carl Hayman to have a trot, the Crusaders have not gone down that track.

It was hoped former All Blacks halfback Andy Ellis, who now earns a crust in Japan, would represent them but that deal fell through. The experienced Tim Bateman also had to withdraw because of a cut foot.

Preparation has been light; the squad will have a training session upon their arrival in Brisbane and will absorb the lessons from last year.

Tenacious defence, something that served them so well in Brisbane last year and also empowered them to be such a success in Super Rugby, will be imperative.

Tomorrow evening the Crusaders meet the Hurricanes and Brumbies, followed by their final pool game against Fiji on Saturday.