Crusaders cop Mo’unga injury on chin
This was one All Blacks club Richie Mo’unga never wanted to subscribe to.
First five-eighth Mo’unga has been forced to join six of his international team-mates in the Crusaders’ convalescence ward after fracturing his jaw while attempting to tackle replacement prop Steven Kitshoff in the final minutes of the team’s 45-28 victory over the Stormers at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday night.
Mo’unga, who was also issued a warning by the Sanzaar citing commissioner for a dangerous tackle in the 39th minute, was to have surgery in Christchurch on Sunday afternoon.
A spokesperson said his returnto-play timeframe will not be known until he has been assessed by a medical specialist after the operation.
Usually it can take up to two two months for players to recover from surgery on the jaw.
What we do know for certain is that Mo’unga, who earned an All Blacks cap against a French XV last November, will now join a growing list of All Blacks who are waiting for their broken bodies to mend.
The Crusaders’ Kieran Read, Israel Dagg, Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Tim Perry and Matt Todd are already on the register for the incapacitated, with Mo’unga and Todd the only men to have been blooded in Super Rugby this season.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson accepts a high injury toll is part of the sport, but the high attrition rate must be a concern – and he isn’t banking on Read, Dagg, Franks and Moody being available until April.
Todd, who broke his thumb in the first game against the Chiefs on February 24, will have an MRI scan on Monday to determine how long he will be unavailable for.
At least Robertson knows the Plan B at first-five is a sound one.
Last year Mitch Hunt was thrust into the job at No 10 when Mo’unga broke his hand in the first round, and rather than let the responsibility be a burden he flourished.
Hunt helped the Crusaders maintain their unbeaten streak in the next six games and became part of the club’s folklore when he kicked a sensational long-range drop goal to deny the Highlanders a win later in the season.
All Black Mike Delany, who was recruited over the off-season, will provide backup for Hunt.
The tweaked rule book has made the game faster, and the players are now stronger and more powerful than ever. The injury toll reflects this.
‘‘It is really, really physical football,’’ Robertson said.
‘‘Fitter and faster, especially in these early rounds. You collect a few injuries and your squad gets tested.
‘‘Look at the Chiefs, they have had an incredible amount of injuries. It all compounds.
But you have to have the next man ready, and the next man in. We have a great squad, and great depth.’’
The bonus point victories over the Stormers and Chiefs have launched the Crusaders’ season in fine style.
Yet there is room for improvement ahead of the next match against the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Having jumped out to a 26-0 lead against the Stormers, the Crusaders experienced some anxiety when the lead was cut to 10 points in the 50th minute.
‘‘We talked about playing fast and accurate, but didn’t quite get the accuracy part right and let them in,’’ Robertson said in reference to the halftime discussion.
‘‘We lost a lot of momentum, a couple of key scrums, key lineouts and turned the ball over.’’
Keeping the ball close to the forward pack, through rolling mauls off lineouts swung the emphasis back their way.
The Hurricanes beat the Jaguares 34-9 in Buenos Aires on Sunday, recording their first win of the season.
‘‘They (the Hurricanes) will be coming back from a trip, excited to play in front of their people so it’s going to be a hell of a week,’’ Robertson said.