Crusaders laidback over slack outing

Crusaders coach Robbie Deans wasn't pushing the panic button after a lax pre-Super 12 trial loss to the Waratahs but fullback Scott Hamilton's injury has sparked some worry.

With the season opener against the Brumbies in Canberra just a fortnight away, Hamilton's likely loss and the belated arrival of Leon MacDonald from Japan could see Dan Carter reclaim the No 15 jersey, a position he filled for Canterbury in last year's NPC.

Deans was mulling over his permutations yesterday in the aftermath of a disappointing six tries-to-two defeat to a physically dominant, yet by no means flawless, New South Wales side on Saturday night.

The temporary absence of veteran pivot Andrew Mehrtens is another complicating factor, although he will be available to play against the Brumbies before flying to London the next day to play in the March 5 tsunami fundraiser at Twickenham.

Mehrtens' absence could leave the Crusaders short for the round two clash with the Chiefs if MacDonald has not yet completed his club commitments with Japan Top League side Yamaha.

Yamaha are in the semifinals, meaning the former All Black could be another fortnight away from rejoining the Crusaders.

Hamilton, one of the Crusaders' most impressive players on Saturday, was diagnosed with a badly sprained left ankle after being crunched in a 45th minute tackle, leaving Deans pessimistic about his chances of fronting the Brumbies.

Other than shifting Carter to fullback, Aaron Mauger and Rico Gear will also be considered for the spot. A pointer to Deans' thinking will come when he names the team to play the Reds in Brisbane on Friday.

Deans will be without hooker Tone Kopelani, who suffered a head knock, and prop Greg Feek, who strained a calf during training last week. Neither injury is considered serious but training squad hooker Ti'i Paulo was to join the team.

Injury concerns aside, Deans admitted the Waratahs' game exposed the Crusaders' sluggish build-up as they were consistently outmuscled in an error-prone clash.
The loss followed a similarly patchy 38-43 defeat by the Highlanders last week and leaves the four-time champions with plenty of work to do before the Canberra trip.

"They won the physical contest, it was pretty evident the Waratahs are a bit further advanced than we are," Deans admitted, citing the late arrival of the All Blacks as a contributing factor.

Captain Richie McCaw, who played only the first half as Deans rotated his squad, agreed the team were out of synch, particularly at the breakdown.

The Crusaders' effort was no surprise to Wallabies midfielder Morgan Turinui, who helped kill off the visitors with a brace of tries.

"I don't think we can read too much into it. The Crusaders never show you anything in a trial. They'll have a plan."

The Waratahs arrived in Auckland last night where they will play the Blues in Whangarei on Friday.

New South Wales A will also play a Blues development selection at Auckland Grammar School tomorrow.

- NZPA