Crusaders' All Black not heading to SA
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: All Black star Samuel Whitelock will not travel with the Crusaders when they head to South Africa at the weekend.
The Crusaders depart for South Africa on Saturday (New Zealand time) – ahead of the next two rounds of Super Rugby.
They face the Bulls in Pretoria next Saturday, May 11, and the Stormers in Cape Town a week later.
Whitelock, who was rested from the Crusaders’ dramatic 21-all draw with the Sharks on Friday, and his wife Hannah welcomed a baby daughter into the world on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old will remain with his family in Christchurch while the Crusaders play the Bulls in Pretoria next weekend.
Outside back Will Jordan will miss the entire tour after injuring his foot in the first half of Friday’s drawn fixture.
Ngane Punivai has taken his spot.
The defending champions maintained their nearly three-year undefeated streak at home with the draw.
The Crusaders scored three tries to nil, but Sharks’ super-boot Curwin Bosch sent over seven penalties to give the South Africans hope against the defending champions.
“It showed character for the boys to be in there and build phases, but at the same time we made a lot of mistakes,” Crusaders back Mitch Hunt said.
Crusaders squad: Michael Alaalatoa, Harrison Allan, Scott Barrett, Tim Bateman, Ethan Blackadder, George Bower, George Bridge, Ryan Crotty, Mitchell Dunshea, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Mitchell Drummond, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Bryn Hall, David Havili, Mitchell Hunt, Oli Jager, Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody, Richie Mo’unga, Ngane Punivai, Kieran Read, Sevu Reece, Luke Romano, Jordan Taufua, Codie Taylor, Matt Todd.
* Samuel Whitelock will be joining the squad next week.
In case you missed it: Crusaders 21 Sharks 21 – match report HERE!
