The Crusaders could again be without standout fullback Will Jordan when they host the Hurricanes at a Covid-19 enforced empty Orangetheory Stadium on Saturday night.
Coach Scott Robertson will make a call on his status after his rib injury is assessed early this week, but it’s clear he won’t be risked unless he’s touching 100 per cent.
Jordan, having been named to start, was scratched ahead of the Crusaders’ season-opening 26-13 win against the Highlanders, forcing rookie Chay Fihaki to start in his place with David Havili (concussion) also out.
The good news is Robertson is confident Havili will return from the head knock he suffered in their game of three halves pre-season match a fortnight ago, the same game Jordan took a heavy shot to the ribs.
Robertson said Jordan was still “really sore” ahead of their season-opener, which the reigning champions won on the back of a supreme defensive performance, despite conceding 15 penalties and two yellow cards.
It wasn’t the first time referee Ben O’Keeffe has hammered the Crusaders in the penalty count, although he’s also been known to have apologised to them post match for decisions in the past.
While Highlanders coach Tony Brown suggested the Crusaders cynically conceded penalties inside their own 22 to keep the visitors from scoring, Robertson denied that was the case.
“They didn’t take opportunities to go for the posts after our ill-discipline. It wasn’t cynical. We defended their mauls, that’s footy. The ref gave us warnings and yellow cards.”
Regardless, Robertson knows his team needs to not only adjust to O’Keeffe, but simply be better at ensuring they take an extra step on defence to avoid referees cracking down on offside play.
It’s not foreign territory for the Crusaders.
Last year, they were the most penalised team in the opening few rounds of Super Rugby Aotearoa, before finishing with the fewest (72). The Blues (88) were the most pinged.
“We started last year like this without the intent of it and corrected it as the season went on by being really honest and taking ownership.
“We certainly haven’t blamed any officials or put blame on anyone else,” Robertson said.
As is the case each week, the Crusaders will receive a detailed list of their infringements from their opening game.
It will allow them to make adjustments, question any calls, or seek clarification on rulings.
“That will be done pretty quick, so we can put that game to bed and move on to the next one,” Robertson said.
Should neither Havili nor Jordan be fit to play the Hurricanes, Robertson will likely stick with Fihaki at fullback, who was mostly blemish free in his first Super Rugby match.
He was blessed with playing alongside All Blacks wing Sevu Reece, who played arguably his best game for the Crusaders since 2019.
Reece was perhaps guilty of trying too hard last year and failed to reach the lofty heights of the previous season, when practically everything he touched turned to gold.
But he expertly scored inside the right-hand flag as he was being blasted into touch, setup halfback Bryn Hall’s try with a fine centre-kick, and notched 89 metres on 10 carries.
“It’s been a big off-season for him. He did a lot of reflecting on last year, and he knows the competition that is in the outside backs in NZ Rugby,” Robertson said.
“If you want to be an All Black, you have to be right on, and for the whole season, and take your opportunities. And he’s done that straight away round one.”
