Crusaders set to have another All Black back for semifinal
REACTION: The Crusaders are set to get another All Black back for their Super Rugby semifinal against the Hurricanes in Christchurch next weekend.
All Black prop Joe Moody missed the Crusaders’40-10 quarterfinal win over the Sharks on Saturday because of a knee injury, but he is set to be included in the squad to face the Hurricanes.
“We have got Joe coming back after training well last week,” Crusaders coach Scott Robertson told stuff.co.nz. “If he gets through the week ahead he is available to play.”
The one injury concern from the win over the Sharks is wing Seta Tamanivalu, who left the field after suffering a head knock.
He must go through the normal return-to-play protocols before the team is announced for the semifinal.
“The test results have come back really good, he feels good and there are no symptoms at the moment. So we are hopeful,” Robertson added.
The last time the Crusaders and Hurricanes met was in May with the defending champions coming out on top 24-13 in wet conditions.
“Both teams learned a lot about that game, how to play in the conditions,” Robertson noted. “We are assuming they will be smarter for it as well.
“Any team that plays the Hurricanes knows to expect anything. Especially with the kind of individuals they have got in regards to flair. But they are a brutal side as well.
“You have to be ‘on’ – we know that. You have to be absolutely ‘on’.”
Source: stuff.co.nz