Todd Blackadder's late switch from New Zealand A skipper to the All Black squad will test the sentiments of the crowd when they attend Friday's match in Christchurch.
It also left the NZA squad with mixed emotions as they wished their departing captain success while feeling deflated about hisdeparture.
Blackadder yesterday joined Norm Berryman, Carlos Spencer and Paul Thomson as omissions from the original NZA selection, severely reducing the potential for an upset win for the underdog NZA side. It also shrank the Canterbury contingent in the NZA squad from five to three.
While Blackadder was switched to cover for fellow Crusader lock Norm Maxwell, who has been struck down by illness, it opened the way for Otago Highlander John Blaikie to join the NZA group.
A new captain will be needed, and undoubtedly Norm Hewitt will take on that job as the only member of the squad with any great leadership experience.
