Happy conundrum for the Crusaders
Whetu Douglas was hardly in a filthy mood when advised he wasn’t going to play the Force last weekend.
Even though the inevitable return of All Blacks captain Kieran Read means his minutes in the Crusaders No 8 jersey will soon be seriously compromised, Douglas accepted coach Scott Robertson’s decision to not play him for a fifth consecutive week in Super Rugby.
Because Douglas’s body was screaming out for some respite.
His shoulder was aching, he had taken a whack to the head during the 33-24 win over the Blues on March 17 and ulcers were breaking out inside his mouth - his constitution’s way of telling him it was feeling the strain after such an intense introduction to his debut season at this level.
‘‘I am not used it it, being so involved in the first four weeks,’’ Douglas said. ‘‘Sitting out from training felt a bit awkward but the best thing to do was freshen-up and start getting ready for this week.
‘‘I didn’t feel disappointed at all. I knew I had picked-up a niggle and I was just run down. I had mouth ulcers and stuff, it was as almost as if my body was telling me (to have a break).’’
Taufua started at No 8 in the 45-17 over the Force last weekend, as the Crusaders stretched their winning streak to five and launch to the top of the competition log.
Douglas is expected to return to the boot of the scrum against the Waratahs in Sydney on Sunday evening, with Taufua switching back to his customary role at blindside flanker and Matt Todd on the openside.
Read, who has yet to play this year because of wrist surgery over the off-season, is slated to appear for his University club when the Crusaders have the bye next weekend and is likely to make his firstclass comeback against the Sunwolves in Christchurch on April 14.
For Douglas, there are a couple of alternatives. He could be listed on the bench, or be asked to start at blindside flanker, the position from which he earned nine caps while representing Waikato in 2015.
Given he was only called into the Crusaders because Robertson needed to replace the injured Read, it’s no shock to hear Douglas, who wasn’t listed in the original squad and was living in Hamilton when asked to join pre-season training, state everything has happened much faster than anticipated.
‘‘From getting the call in as injury cover, my first thoughts were to learn as much as I can. Especially with Reado around. If I was to get on the field it would have been a bonus - maybe to get a cap or two off the bench.’’
In a forward pack heaving with All Blacks, the import from Waikato has managed to shine. He has played 312 minutes in four matches, ranking him the fourth busiest forward behind Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett and Jordan Taufua.
Which raises the subject of whether the Crusaders can sign Douglas for next year and beyond. The married father of three is keen to stay, but his form warrants close scrutiny from other teams.
Colin Cooper, who coached Douglas in the New Zealand Maori team last year, will replace Dave Rennie as Chiefs coach at the end of this season and may want to bolster his back row by offering Douglas a contract to play in the region he considers home.
‘‘I have got a young family - ten month old twins and a two year old girl,’’ Douglas added. ‘‘I am not going to rush into anything. Those conversations are happening at the moment.
‘‘I am focusing on what I can do on the field, and being a good dad to my kids when I get home. It is very busy, but I have got a good wife who is at home who is doing harder work than what I am doing at training.’’