Blackadder's scrummie dilemma

 

A season-ending leg injury to Willi Heinz has propelled former Hurricane Billy Guyton into the Super Rugby spotlight for the Canterbury team.

 

There was a collective groan around Timaru's Alpine Energy Stadium as Heinz broke his left fibula attempting a tackle in the second quarter of the Crusaders pre-season hitout against the Highlanders on Saturday.

 

Heinz's anguish was apparent and the quarter was ended early to deal with his injury, the classy scrumhalf eventually stretchered off eight minutes later.

 

The 26-29 loss to a sharp Highlanders team will scarcely register with coach Todd Blackadder in comparison to the loss of Heinz.

 

Veteran scrumhalf Andy Ellis may not return to the Crusaders fold until early March if his Japanese club goes all the way to the final, meaning Blackadder has a selection headache on his hands for the early rounds.

 

Guyton played the final two quarters on Saturday and Blackadder said there was a chance for him to play some serious minutes if he kept performing.

 

"I thought he did a lot of things really well and there will also be a lot of things that he learned about himself out there," the Crusaders coach said.

 

"There's now an opportunity, with Willi's injury, for Billy to step up and I hope he can take it."

 

Guyton said he was was not expecting to be as involved as he was at his first outing in the warm-up match.

 

"I thought overall it was an awesome experience, I couldn't have asked for better support or a better day.

 

"It's really disappointing for Willi, you couldn't wish something like that on anyone, but I guess it gives me a door now."

 

Guyton, 24, will be competing for a starting spot with Nelson's Mitchell Drummond, 20, who looked good and scored the opening try of the match from a scrum intercept in the fifth minute of the game.