Crusaders 2024
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@Bovidae Harford was with the Blues in the preseason. Not sure if he’s still training with them
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I don't remember Havili being a huge success at 1st 5 either. I think it would have been better to partner Kemara with a more experienced halfback against NSW. They are doing that this week.
And just to put it into perspective. Kemara is only the no.3 1st 5 for Waikato, so is still learning his trade.
@Bovidae said in Crusaders 2024:
And just to put it into perspective. Kemara is only the no.3 1st 5 for Waikato, so is still learning his trade.
And when Dan Carter was Kemara's age he hadn't yet played any games of first class rugby - but was close. Started with Canterbury when he was 20 and Crusaders when 21.
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I’m preparing myself for a 96-esque season. The transition from Razor and a number of very key players from previous successful campaigns all at once will take time to overcome.
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The Saders could have a look at Oscar Koller, the NH 1st Five. He has a huge boot and can run. Not sure about his game management though.
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I’m preparing myself for a 96-esque season. The transition from Razor and a number of very key players from previous successful campaigns all at once will take time to overcome.
@ACT-Crusader Oh come on that's taking it to the extreme a bit. There's only been 3 games gone and you guys haven't even played in Chch yet.
You only have to get to the playoffs and then it's all on.
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Crusaders for the NZ wooden spoon this year? Perhaps Razor is Jesus after all.
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@george33 Clearly you did haha.
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But help is on the way in the form of Burke, who Penney confirmed was “really close” to getting back on the park.
“He is right on the cusp of coming back, he is training fully now, integrated. He just needs to get his athletic performance up, but he's close."
As for other sidelined players, Blackadder and McAlister are on track to return against the Waratahs in Sydney on April 12, while Taylor will rejoin the team at the end of April with an eye on playing against the Reds in Christchurch on May 4.
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@george33 said in Crusaders 2024:
Blackadder any news ?
Another bit of news Blackadder got through training well this week including live scrummaging .
Maybe back a week early Rd 4 definitely Rd 5
Unless he has another injury set back. -
@george33 said in Crusaders 2024:
@Chris saw a report that he is 4-5 weeks away ? Any truth to that
Not sure about that he is in full training including scrummaging.
I would expect sooner than that, unless they are being really conservative due to a lot of calf injuries over the last 18 months,or he has had a set back since I heard on Tuesday. -
@george33 said in Crusaders 2024:
@Chris saw a report that he is 4-5 weeks away ? Any truth to that
Not sure about that he is in full training including scrummaging.
I would expect sooner than that, unless they are being really conservative due to a lot of calf injuries over the last 18 months,or he has had a set back since I heard on Tuesday. -
@Chris said in Crusaders 2024:
unless they are being really conservative due to a lot of calf injuries over the last 18 months
The Crusaders bye is in three weeks. They might be making use of that extra recovery time?
@Duluth said in Crusaders 2024:
@Chris said in Crusaders 2024:
unless they are being really conservative due to a lot of calf injuries over the last 18 months
The Crusaders bye is in three weeks. They might be making use of that extra recovery time?
Yep that is possible he has had 4 calf injuries in 18 months it has been a chronic injury.
He is training fully but it could be they want to build him up before he plays again. -
@Duluth said in Crusaders 2024:
https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/crusaders-wont-be-contenders-without-a-top-class-fly-half/
Getting paid to write the blindingly obvious.
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Some comments in this article about the injuries:
In terms of when help might arrive, prop Joe Moody (Covid) should be fit to face the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday, but it’s unlikely other reinforcements will be on hand until after their bye. That includes first five-eighth Fergus Burke, despite Penney keeping the door slightly ajar for his return from a busted Achilles before their week off in round seven. “He's a probably a 5% chance before the bye, very minimal but not totally excluded.
