Crusaders, facing the reality that only a five point haul from Friday’s Super 14 home match against the Reds will keep them in contention for a play-off berth, still have two players bracketed on their team list pending a final decision on their fitness on Wednesday.
Hit by injuries, they had the good news that captain Richie McCaw trained well on Tuesday, after missing the Lions match last weekend with a mild concussion, but he will have his final test on Wednesday before a definite decision is made. McCaw is bracketed with Jonathan Poff.
A call on the fitness of scrumhalf Andy Ellis (ribs) has not been made and he remains bracketed with Kahn Fotuali’i. Left wing Colin Slade was also ruled out after damaging ankle ligaments against the Lions and has been replaced by Adam Whitelock. Also unavailable is wing Kade Poki, who has a haematoma on his knee.
There was, however, some good news. Flyhalf Stephen Brett has been given the all-clear to play after a twisted knee sustained against the Lions.
The match is of the greatest importance to the defending champions. They are a vastly superior side than the Reds, but have not really impressed this season other than showing great patience on attack and good organisation on defence. They seem to miss a playmaker in the absence of Daniel Carter.
A win will see Crusaders keep in touch with the log leaders, and with a number of tight matches in the last two rounds, 10 points could see them sneak in.
They shouldn’t have too many problems with a Reds side that had their moments during the season and also played some exciting rugby. However, with the chips down and the Reds, unmotivated after a tough season, becoming more unpredictable in every match, this should be one for Crusaders to take at a canter.
Pride to play for
In the other match on Friday, the Lions and the Highlanders have pride and the best of the bottom five positions to play for in Johannesburg. The Lions, who have now lost 27 of their last 37 matches for a 27% winning record over the past three seasons, will have to take a serious look at how they play the game.
No side, good or bad, can play the unstructured run-at-all-costs rugby that they have been, and still are, dishing up.
Exciting it may be, but there must be less of the loose passing, more patience in the build-up and better execution and decision making if they hope to end the season on a high.
Important from a national perspective would be the performance of Jaque Fourie after injury. He didn’t look quite at his best last weekend.
Jano Vermaak, certainly the second best scrumhalf in the country, could also impress the selectors, although on-the-bench Ricky Januarie will probably get the Springbok selectors’ vote as national number two after Fourie du Preez.
And there is, of course, also Lions fullback Louis Ludik, who has had a super season at fullback — a position which has become a troublesome one for Bok coach Peter de Villiers. — Sapa