Crusaders hold aces in the pack
Ben Smith's return boosts Highlanders but Crusaders look nearly unstoppable at home
The Highlanders have Ben Smith back for their quarterfinal in Christchurch but the Crusaders have been able to select an All Black tight five following the return from injury of both Owen Franks and Codie Taylor, a state of affairs which should hand the advantage firmly to the home side.
In fact, it is the first time this season Franks, Taylor and Joe Moody have started together, and with Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock in the scrum behind them the pieces appear to be falling into place once again for head
coach Scott Robertson, who also has an embarrassment of riches in his backline.
With George Bridge and Sevu Reece the starting wings and Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodhue in the midfield, there is no room in the starting XV for the in-form Braydon Ennor and no room in the match-day 23 for the talented 21-year-old Will Jordan, who has just re-committed to the Crusaders for another three years.
The Crusaders are fresh from their bye week, but after watching the Highlanders thrash the Waratahs in Invercargill and then cling on to a topeight position as other results went their way, there is a feeling in the south that the visitors are worthy finalists who have an emotional primer in the form of fullback Smith’s return from a hamstring injury in his last weeks at the franchise.
“A lot of people thought they might not be in there so they’ve almost got that nothing-to-lose feel which is pretty dangerous to play against,” Franks said after getting the all-clear from a shoulder injury.
“Personally, I think they’ve got the best scrum in the competition so it’s going to be an awesome challenge for us.”
Normally an upbeat character, Crusaders coach Robertson was uncharacteristically quiet in yesterday’s press conference, presumably because of what’s at stake
He agreed with Franks that the Highlanders’ scrum is one of the best around. “It’s going to be a hell of a contest,” he said