1
Ryan Crotty set to return from injury this weekend
By Online Editors
Injured All Blacks midfielder Ryan Crotty is set to make his long awaited return to rugby this weekend after two months out of action with a hand injury.
The 30-year-old fractured his thumb during the Crusaders' 30-26 Super Rugby semi-final victory over the Hurricanes in June, and was given a recovery timeframe of eight weeks.
Subsequently, he has missed all of the All Blacks tests to date this year and didn't play in the Super Rugby final, where the Crusaders notched their third consecutive title with a 19-3 win over the Jaguares in Christchurch.
Crotty will return to action this weekend, though, after being made available to play for Canterbury in their Mitre 10 Cup clash against Southland at Orangetheory Stadium on Saturday.
Canterbury - and Southland - are yet to taste victory this season, so the presence of Crotty, who is one of five midfielders vying for four spots in the All Blacks' World Cup squad, in their backline will be of immense value for the hosts.
The 44-test veteran is believed to be a frontrunner to make Steve Hansen's final 31-man cut to travel to Japan for next month's tournament alongside fellow midfielders Sonny Bill Williams, Jack Goodhue and Anton Lienert-Brown.
However, the consistent form of blockbusting second-five-eighth Ngani Laumape, who has impressed for both the Hurricanes and All Blacks this year, may be enough to push Crotty out of contention.
Crotty, who will depart New Zealand to join Japanese Top League club Kubota Spears following the World Cup, was involved with the All Blacks during their successful Bledisloe Cup series earlier this month, but wasn't available for selection.
The All Blacks' World Cup squad will be announced at midday on Wednesday at Eden Park.
In other news:
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Fissler Confidential: Radwan eyed to replace exit-bound England wing
3
England No8 Billy Vunipola tasered and arrested in Spain
4
Stormers hand Leinster second humbling in a row
5
Latest Comments
“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
Go to comments