White doubts revamp

Sharks:

Jake White is uneasy about Sanzar’s clumsy Super Rugby revamp.

The former Springboks coach, in Christchurch preparing the Sharks to play the Crusaderstomorrow night, yesterday picked holes in the proposed 18- team structure that will comprise four conferences and two regional groups.

‘‘ I’m not a fan of White emphasised.

‘‘ I just sense there are so many things that could go right or wrong in the makeup of that group.’’

The 2007 World Cup- winning coach is concerned about mismatched games hindering teams’ progress and worried that the crossover games between the groups will not result in a fair competition.

While the confusing competition structure will assist in player welfare, because there is less travel and the brutal home derbies will not be so frequent, White believed the draw had the potential to penalise the best teams.

‘‘ You could end up, in two years, getting the toughest draw and I don’t believe this competition should be determined by how your draw looks.’’

The competition- leading Sharks have won eight of their 11 matches but have suffered defeats to the Brumbies and Highlanders in their last three fixtures.

Meanwhile, the longer Kieran Read’s concussion lingers, the closer Luke Whitelock edges toward the All Blacks.

With each renewed declaration that the Crusaders captain and No 8’ s head injury has again forced him out of Super Rugby action, the faster the June 7 deadline, when the first test will be played against England at Eden Park, seems to rush toward him.

Todd Blackadder, who yesterday revealed Read still hasn’t started contract training, made an early decision not to risk him for the Sharks match.

The absence of Read means Luke Whitelock, one of the stars of last weekend’s 57- 29 annihilation of the Reds in Brisbane, gets his third consecutive start at No 8 and another chance to prove to All Blacks coach Steve Hansen he should be considered as his second- string No 8 ahead of Victor Vito.

Since the Crusaders began their five- match winning streak, which started with the 28- 7 victory over the Lions in Jo’burg on April 6, they have had Read in action for about only 110 minutes – against the Cheetahs and Chiefs.

Read will still attend the All Blacks wider training squad camp which will be held for several days in Christchurch, starting on Sunday.

that

system,’’

Tom Taylor, Johnny McNicholl, Rey Lee- Lo, Ryan Crotty ( c), Nemani Nadolo, Colin Slade, Willi Heinz, Luke Whitelock, Richie McCaw, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock, Dominic Bird, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Tim Perry, Nepo Laulala, Jimmy Tupou, George Whitelock, Andy Ellis, Tyler Bleyendaal, Nafi Tuitavake.

SP Marais, JP Pietersen, S’bura Sithole, Paul Jordaan, Lwazi Mvovo, Frans Steyn, Cobus Reinach, Willem Alberts, Jean Deysel, Tera Mtembu, Stephan Lewies, Etienne Oosthuizen, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis ( c), Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Kyle Cooper, Dale Chadwick, Lourens Adriaanse, Ryan Kankowski, Keegan Daniel, Charl McLeod, Tim Swiel, Heimar Williams. Fairfax NZ

Crusaders: