Blackadder to throw All Blacks into the fray
BY RICHARD KNOWLER
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Rugby
Todd Blackadder hasn't filed off his rough edges just because he wears the coach's whistle.
As a player Blackadder was not afraid to ram his pain needle into the red zone, and he expects the All Blacks to do the same when they tug on the Crusaders' jerseys for Saturday night's Super 14 opener against the Highlanders.
Although they only officially returned to trainings 10 days ago, the Crusaders boss yesterday appeared to be in no mood to shower his stars with love during the opening rounds. Instead, he hinted that his All Blacks would be pitched straight into battle and told to cop it sweet.
While captain Richie McCaw will miss the opening three rounds because of a "sabbatical" clause in his contract and hooker Corey Flynn will miss at least one match with an ankle sprain, their international team-mates could be shoved into the fray despite each playing only about 40 minutes in last week's warmup match against the Blues.
Potentially Blackadder, who will release his team tomorrow, could name up to seven All Blacks from last year's end-of-season tour. Zac Guildford should make his debut on the wing and Dan Carter and Andy Ellis will line up as the inside backs. Kieran Read will be at No6 and lock Brad Thorn and props Wyatt Crockett and Owen Franks will add potency to the engine room.
"The ones that are available, apart from Richie, they could all well be in the 22. They are up for selection anyway – whether they are in the starting 15 or 22 [reserves], we are yet to determine," Blackadder said.
If on the pine, the internationals are still likely to get a gallop as Blackadder chases the win and aims to hone their match fitness.
For those who will represent the All Blacks, Crusaders and provincial teams this year, the next 10 months shape as another marathon. Although Thorn and Ellis were given early personal leave on last year's tour, their Crusaders team-mates remained with the All Blacks until the final match against the Barbarians in London on December 5 before preparing for business again on February 1.
That vacation would have flashed by and Read said he took just two weeks off training before pulling out his running shoes to train for the 2010 year.
Despite the limited preparation he maintained he would be ready to take the physical hits dished out on Saturday night. "I'm feeling pretty good. I got through the game last week pretty comfortably," he said.
"I'm really looking forward to getting back out on the track."
Blackadder will be feverish to get this campaign going and although the Crusaders are heavily favoured to tip over the Highlanders, they should be painfully aware the southern franchise has embarrassed them in their previous two encounters.
The Crusaders, who had already qualified for the playoffs, were stunned 26-14 in their final round-robin match in 2008 and later unhappy coach Robbie Deans wore the look of a bloke who had discovered a cockroach in his soup.
Last year the Highlanders won a dreadful spectacle 6-0 at Carisbrook. McCaw suffered a knee injury and did not play again for six weeks and the Crusaders looked headed to the Super 14 abattoir with the rest of the also-rans until launching their remarkable run into the playoffs.
New Zealand's Chris Pollock will referee Saturday's match.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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You don't have to be a 'Canes fan to realise Ellis is a doormat at halfback. Spartacus probably reckons Steven Brett is a great defender also! If Ellis wasn't behind a Rolls Royce pack and Wayne Smith didn't love his "organisational abilities" he wouldn't be an AB. Congratulations on luring Zac Guildford south that is a fair cockup by the Canes coaching staff to bench him for David Smith who can't tackle,pass, kick or catch high balls...would have thought those were fairly important skills to have as a winger these days? 'Canes have talent galore but capable of blowing it with mindless/conservative tactics eg losing to Chiefs twice in 3 weeks with exactly the same inept gameplan. Hence the "management of Aaron Cruden". Willie Ripia could not lace Crudens boots. More signs of a conservative Cooper approach...should go well back in Taranaki!
Given the humiliations the Highlanders have dished out to the Crusaders in '09 and '08, I don't blame them for panicking and grabbing every star they can find.
ab#14, Its fine by me if he turns in to another Caleb Ralph. If Zac ends up with as many Super winners medals as Caleb does then all Crusaders fans will be happy!
P.S By the way good luck with David Smith. He's all class! haha
I think its great seeing the ABs playing. Im like a few of you lot, im not convinced with Andy Ellis im a Kahn fan. I also cant believe that Slade may be on the bench. He was awesome at 15 in the anz cup.I no he wants to play 10 but where beter 2 learn from the best than be on the field with him???.Nothing against Payne I just think Slade has a bit more about him..
Yes, Ruggafan makes a good point but it's hardly groundbreaking. Rugby observers have previously said that players need to be managed individually in terms of whether too much or too little rugby impairs their playing performance and likelihood of injury. It looks like the AB selectors have learned that you can't just impose a blanket edict across all players. Not to mention the debacle it caused News Ltd when Henry pulled those 22 players.
Rugga fan - what are you on about? Its quite fine supporting a team that hasn't won a title. At least we support our team, how many people did you guys get for the NPC final last year - real supports aint ya? Our soccer team gets more support in your city.
You lot can have Guilford, he's just going to be another Caleb Ralph anyway.
Rugga Fan #6,
You should change your username to Rugga Expert. You have made some groundbreaking observations. I haven't heard your first point raised before, thanks for bringing it to our attention.
Comment #7. If you were like your name suggests you'd know that all five franchises do the exact same thing. Seems like your jealous of the Crusaders success.
Smartalec #7 Zac Guildford was a waste of talent at the Hurricanes, most of the time playing off the bench behind david smith, hosea gear and Ellison...Plus he only really came into AB reckoning in last years NPC playing for Hawks Bay...Also its a fair trade, we develop you guys some forwards (which you need) and we'll have some classy backs...Thanks
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Which NZ Super Rugby squad do you think has the quality and depth to win the 2012 competition?
ab #14 yes I am a Crusaders fan, but I don't live in Christchurch mate. In fact I like to watch all the teams (even the Blues) during the competition. I note you interpret Caleb Ralph as useless, yet if you are resourceful enough you'll find that he is currently second on the top tries in Super Rugby list with 58, one behind Doug Howlett on 59, with Joe Roff, Christian Cullen and Stirling Mortlock all in the 50+ tries group. That's a pretty impressive group to be in, all of those players are of star quality.