Razor playing it safe with injured Jordan
The Crusaders could again be without standout fullback Will Jordan when they host the Hurricanes at a Covid-19 enforced empty Orangetheory Stadium on Saturday night.
Coach Scott Robertson will make a call on his status after his rib injury is assessed early this week, but it’s clear he won’t be risked so early in the season unless he’s touching 100 per cent.
Jordan, having been named to start, was scratched ahead of the Crusaders’ season-opening 26-13 win against the Highlanders, forcing rookie Chay Fihaki to start in his place with David Havili (concussion) also out.
The good news is Robertson is confident Havili will return from the head knock he suffered in their game of three halves pre-season match a fortnight ago, the same game Jordan took a heavy shot to the ribs.
Robertson said Jordan was still ‘‘really sore’’ ahead of their seasonopener, which the reigning champions won on the back of a supreme defensive performance, despite conceding 15 penalties and two yellow cards.
It wasn’t the first time referee Ben O’Keeffe has hammered the Crusaders in the penalty count, although he’s also been known to have apologised to them post-match for decisions in the past.
While Highlanders coach Tony Brown suggested the Crusaders cynically conceded penalties inside their own 22 to keep the visitors from scoring, Robertson denied that was the case.
‘‘They didn’t take opportunities to go for the posts after our illdiscipline. It wasn’t cynical. We defended their mauls, that’s footy. The ref gave us warnings and yellow cards.’’
Regardless, Robertson knows his team needs to not only adjust to O’Keeffe, but simply be better at ensuring they take an extra step on defence to avoid referees cracking down on offside play.
It’s not foreign territory for the Crusaders.
Last year, they were the most penalised team in the opening few rounds of Super Rugby Aotearoa, before finishing with the fewest (72). The Blues (88) were the most pinged.
‘‘We started last year like this without the intent of it and corrected it as the season went on by being really honest and taking ownership.
‘‘We certainly haven’t blamed any officials or put blame on anyone else,’’ Robertson said.
As is the case each week, the Crusaders will receive a detailed list of their infringements from their opening game.
It will allow them to question any calls, including the penalty against hooker Codie Taylor for changing lanes on a kick, an infringement the home side appeared to get away with on a few occasions.
‘‘That will be done pretty quick, so we can put that game to bed and move on to the next one,’’ Robertson said.
A shift to Covid-19 alert level 2 in Christchurch means the Crusaders’ coffers will take a hit, with no fans allowed at their home opener.