Crusader Fruean set for Rec reunion with old boss Blackadder

NEW Zealand media picked up on The Rugby Paper’s story from last week that former Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean, below, is likely heading to Bath.

While the club remain tight-lipped, sources in New Zealand confirm Fruean is set to leave his homeland with Bath the likely destination to link up with former Crusaders coaches Todd Blackadder and Tabai Matson.

Blackadder left the Crusaders after eight seasons in charge, and will work with Bath for three years. His assistant Matson will be employed as head coach for four years at the Rec.

Fruean, the Crusaders and Hawke’s Bay midfielder below, missed the entire Super Rugby season because of a chest muscle injury and illness.

Apart from his debut season with the Hurricanes in 2009, and a stint with the Chiefs in 2014, Fruean has played all his Super Rugby at the Crusaders. If the powerful 28-yearold, who was named World Rugby U19 player of the year in 2007 and later underwent open-heart surgery to repair a heart condition known as pancarditis, moves to Bath he forfeits any chance of representing the All Blacks. Currently contracted to Hawke’s Bay, Fruean will return to action for the Magpies when fully fit according to chief executive Mike Bishop. He said: “We certainly expect him to be involved. Robbie is training and we hope he will soon be available to play for us.” Bishop said he was unsure of Fruean’s plans beyond the provincial championship, but the centre’s contract with the Crusaders has expired and new coach Scott Robertson is looking for fresh talent.