Half-a-ton of evidence for Ralph's unsung qualities

Caleb Ralph

Universally popular he'll never be, but Caleb Ralph deserves to feel the love after becoming only the third player to score 50 Super 12 tries.

When he coasted over the chalk late in the game against the Sharks on Friday night he joined Joe Roff and Christian Cullen as the only half-centurions in the competition's history. Blues winger Doug Howlett, with 48, will no doubt be on the list before the end of this season.

Roff, Cullen and Howlett - undisputed superstars. Ralph? Wasn't he the fella who played for the All Blacks against England in 2003 and looked as though he would have much preferred to be wearing banana shoes and a big red nose? Wasn't he rumbled in a beauty salon while at the World Cup before becoming a royal piece of rough?

He was. But he has also proven more durable than a German-engineered car. Maybe not quite as quick or as manoeuvrable as a German-engineered car, but fairly handy nonetheless.

You can't argue with 50 tries and nor can you argue with Crusaders coach Robbie Deans' assessment of Ralph.

"Caleb has been the first name I have put on the team sheet each week this season. No one is more deserving of the achievement of scoring 50 tries than Caleb. He's instrumental for us. Rico (Gear) on the other wing has been scoring a lot of tries and sometimes Caleb doesn't get the recognition he deserves. He's been exceptional for us both in accumulating tries and his defensive work."

Ralph's immense work rate has always boosted his value. This season, though, he's added a little more finesse. He's been doing the basics without fault and making his experience tell. It's actually getting quite hard to remember the last time there was a chorus of groans and forehead slapping when Ralph took possession.

That particular act, however, was necessary during the 77-34 demolition of the Sharks when Chris Jack limped off immediately after scoring a try. The good news is that he only has a corked thigh and should be fit to play the Highlanders.

Deans couldn't be so definitive about Richie McCaw.

The Crusaders captain and All Black openside is recovering well after being concussed a few weeks ago and ran around with the reserves after Friday night's game. The plan is to continue gradually increasing his training workload.

"Richie continues to recover," said Deans. "We don't want to set a date for his return. We just want to give him space, not put pressure on him."


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