To Carter or not to Carter?
The Crusaders coaching staff have a few interesting posers ahead of their Super Rugby crunch match with the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday.
Top of the list is the possible selection of All Black stars Dan Carter and Kieran Read.
With games against the Blues this week and Highlanders next week remaining, ahead of the play-offs, the battle for pole position in the New Zealand conference is going to be brutal.
The Crusaders are in first place (on 42 points), just edging out the Highlanders (also 42 points) on the basis of having won one more match. The Highlanders face the table-topping Waratahs in Sydney and then the potential conference decider against the Crusaders.
The Hurricanes (who are on 41 points) face the Chiefs (last in the NZ conference on 36 points) and have a bye in the final round of league action. The Blues, also on 36 points, have the Crusaders away this week and the Chiefs at home next week.
For the Crusaders to stay in pole position they will need all their big guns to fire, but assistant coach Dave Hewitt isn't prepared confirm Read and Carter as starters in Christchurch on Saturday.
Carter, working his way back after a six-month sabbatical, and No.8 Read came off the bench in the second half against the Hurricanes last Saturday – but were powerless to stop their side falling to a 9-16 defeat.
The disappointing loss in Wellington has prompted calls for the pair to be thrown straight in against the Blues, who re-ignited their season with a confidence-boosting rout of the Western Force last week.
"We haven't even gone down that path from a selection point of view," Hewitt said.
"Both of them performed pretty well [off the bench against the Hurricanes last Saturday]. So they'll both be in contention."
"It's just a matter of what sort of mix we can run with this weekend.
"If required they can play 80 [minutes], but you don't want to drop them straight in the deep end if you don't have to."
A head-knock that took flyhalf Colin Slade from the ground against the Hurricanes could make Carter's selection a formality if Slade fails a concussion test, but Read may be more carefully managed after picking up a sore ankle from the match.
A decision on the involvement of fullback Israel Dagg could be known in the next day or so.
The 26-year-old has been ruled out with a knee injury since the second All Black Test against England.
"Bring him back a week too early and it could mean another eight weeks out, which no-one wants," Hewett said.
"We'll assess him very closely to see if he's available."
Giant wing Nemani Nadolo has been in outstanding form for Fiji, helping them book a spot in next year's World Cup after thumping the Cook Islands 108-6 last Saturday.
Hewitt says Nadolo's recovery will be monitored: "He's back in the camp. He's played a lot of rugby in the last few weeks."
Hewitt is aware that the Blues will be full of confidence after they humbled the Western Force 40 – 14 in Perth.
"We've got to make sure we get the attack right and get the mental mind set right ."
The last time the Crusaders butted heads with the Blues was back in round three when the Blues won 35-24 in February.
Source: ONE News
