Two key forwards ready to make a return to the Crusaders engine room
There's some good news on the injury front for the Crusaders ahead of the 2023 season.
Two experienced forwards, prop Joe Moody and lock Mitch Dunshea, have both recovered well from major injuries suffered this year and should be back on deck for the Super Rugby Pacific champions when the competition kicks off in February.
Moody, the first-choice All Blacks loosehead, managed six appearances for the Crusaders in 2022 before his season came to a premature end in the rescheduled fourth round of Super Rugby when he ruptured his ACL against the Blues.
Dunshea, meanwhile, underwent surgery on a knee injury in March.
“Joe Moody looks exceptional. And so does [Mitch] Dunshea,” said Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson on Thursday night.
“They’ve worked really, really hard and are available pre-season for us to play, which gives them a great lead-in to have a good season.
“They were both big injuries in rugby ... so we’re just really stoked,” Robertson said. “I’m just happy for them because their hard work is paying off. [They] look like they did pre-injury, so good signs.”
After missing the opening half of last year's Test season, Moody was forced out of this year's campaign in its entirety but will still be expected to play a major role at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
In the 34-year-old's absence, Ethan de Groot established himself as one of the best scrummagers in the global game and firmly entrenched himself in the NZ No 1 jersey.
George Bower, Aidan Ross, Karl Tu'inukuafe and Ofa Tu'ungafasi were also all given opportunities on the loosehead side of the scrum this year but a fit Moody would certainly feature in Ian Foster's plans for 2023 - and that appears to align with Moody's aspirations.
"That is my goal for 2023; I want to be in the World Cup squad," he told Stuff earlier this week. "I want to be the best Joe Moody that you’ve ever seen. I just want to be in great state, that’s definitely been the goal.”
Dunshea, meanwhile, has been there or thereabouts when it's come to All Blacks squad over the past few years, with the 27-year-old earning temporary selection in 2020 but never taking the field. Foster heavily relied upon Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Scott Barrett throughout this year's campaign, rarely handing opportunities to back-ups Tupou Vaa'i and Patrick Tuipulotu, suggesting that there's still a glimmer of hope for aspiring second-rowers around New Zealand who harbour dreams of featuring at France 2023.
The 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season will kick off on February 24 with the Crusaders playing host to the Chiefs in Christchurch.
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Dear Ben Smith you are a genius! God please become the next all blacks coach that can take on the mighty BOKS. Your rugby acumen is second to none - imagine your dads sperm bounced as unfortunately as that oval ball did….we would not be blessed with your presence. Just as the all blacks were missing a man you too are missing a chromosome for 80% of your life, so your insights are not only profound but ring true from your own experiences. Just as the TMO interfered with citing an illegal pass I am sure your local authorities interfere with your illegal passes you make on women - How dare they!!! God forbid that rugby be officiated fairly. You are the right man for the job. Next all blacks coach is here ladies and gentlemen Miss Ben Smith (He/She/They/IT)
Go to commentsHuge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
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