Barrett racing time
Scott Barrett could be racing time to prove his fitness and nail down an All Blacks locking berth to face the British and Irish Lions.
The Crusaders second rower hasn’t featured since their 20-12 victory over the Hurricanes on May 13 due to knee and ankle injuries.
He trained by himself at Crusaders training on Monday and assistant backs coach Leon MacDonald said he was unlikely for Saturday afternoon’s Super Rugby blockbuster against the Highlanders in Christchurch.
‘‘He’s working his way back. He’ll be a very doubtful starter for this week. Fingers crossed it won’t be too long.’’
The Crusaders originally stated Barrett’s recovery time would be two to three weeks, which could leave him feeling nervous ahead of the unveiling of the All Blacks’ 33-man squad for the Lions series next Thursday.
With Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick certainties, Barrett might have to rely on his impressive play from earlier this season should All Blacks coach Steve Hansen only name three locks.
The big winner from Barrett’s injury could be Crusaders teammate Luke Romano, who will have another chance to push his selection case with a probable start against the Highlanders.
Barrett’s strong performances on the All Blacks’ end of season tour last year and his ability to also cover blindside flanker will offer appeal for Hansen.
Hansen may end up selecting Barrett, who could potentially return for the Crusaders clash with the touring Lions in Christchurch next Saturday.
Barrett has started in all 10 of his matches for the Crusaders this season, while Romano has largely been used as an impact player, being injected off the bench in eight of 13 games.
Meanwhile Crusaders flanker Pete Samu’s promising Super Rugby season could be over with the Tasman man in a moonboot after injury his ankle in Saturday’s 41-19 away win over the Rebels.
MacDonald said Samu was awaiting a scan, but admitted it ‘‘doesn’t look nice’’.
Tasman loose forward Vernon Fredericks, who featured against the Chiefs, has been training with the Crusaders for the past few weeks.
There was sufficient loose forward depth with Jed Brown back from injury against the Rebels and Heiden Bedwell-Curtis making the most of his opportunities.
There was better news on the injury front with midfielders Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue and openside flanker Matt Todd all participating in Monday’s training session. Crotty and Todd missed the Rebels clash with concussion, while Goodhue was rested.
The trio should be recalled for the South Island derby, which pits the Crusaders on a 13-game winning run, against a Highlanders side, who have won nine straight.
Against the Rebels, the Crusaders equalled the mark of the franchise’s 2002 title-winning side for consecutive wins, which MacDonald and coach Scott Robertson were a part of.
MacDonald said it was a tremendous achievement, but acknowledged there was plenty of work left to do in 2017.
He saw parallels between the two sides and said it was difficult to reflect on what they had done with crucial battles against the Highlanders and Hurricanes looming, then the finals. ‘‘There’s a lot of similarities ... Just a group of guys, who are really well connected and want to play for each other.
‘‘You saw [wing] George Bridge in the 73rd minute [against the Rebels] sprint back and save a try, which really didn’t have an impact on the game. That shows the determination and will to work hard for the team. That’s a trait that the 2002 team had as well.’’
As for Saturday, MacDonald predicted another epic.
When the teams last met in Dunedin on March 4, the Crusaders stormed home, turning a 27-6 deficit early in the second half into a 30-27 win.
‘‘I think they’ll be smiling away down in Dunedin. They’ve been flying under the radar. People haven’t been talking about them too much and they’ve won nine on the trot.’’