Key Crusaders injured in final round win

A pair of key Crusaders are in doubt following injuries suffered in the side's final round 54-17 victory over the Blues.

All Blacks captain Kieran Read and midfielder Ryan Crotty both left the field early during the match and head coach Scott Robertson has confirmed both players had scans to determine the extent of the damage.

Read suffered an injury to his wrist, while Crotty's injury is related to his thumb.

"Reado [Read] and Crotts [Crotty] are getting some imaging now and we will know in the next 24 to 48 hours how they are, and make a call," Robertson said after the match.

"It is the same wrist Kieran has done previously, so hopefully it is nothing major," Robetson added. "Look, he played on with it for 10 minutes (after hurting it) and played well. We said 'off you go, let's look after you'. So hopefully it is something minor."

That prior injury kept Read out of action for half of the 2017 season.

Another significant injury would be a tough blow for Read and the Crusaders. The Number Eight was making just his second appearance of the year after recovering from back surgery. He is also yet to appear for the All Blacks this season.

Head coach Robertson defended his decision to play Read in a game that had no playoff implications.

"Kieran needs rugby. Our plan for tonight was 50 minutes, otherwise he was going into a quarterfinal witih one game. He is fit and wants to play and you need people that are battle hardened," Robertson said.

"You are going to get injuries playing rugby and hopefully your timing is right. We will know in the next few days."

The Crusaders are attempting to win their second consecutive Super Rugby title and will host the first quarter-final against the Sharks next weekend.

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