Rugby: Franks stays with Crusaders squad

Ben Franks of the Crusaders. Photo / Getty Images

All Blacks prop Ben Franks is remaining with the Crusaders squad but is in doubt to make the flight to South Africa tomorrow after suffering a back injury in their Super rugby win over the Western Force in Perth this morning (NZT).

Franks, who was forced out of last year's Grand Slam tour of the UK and Ireland with a back complaint, left the field in the opening quarter of the 42-30 victory suffering from pain in his lower back.

It was feared he may be forced out of the trip to South Africa where the Crusaders face the Stormers and Cheetahs over successive weeks, but team spokesman Pat McKendry told NZPA today he was still with the squad.

The Crusaders head to South Africa tomorrow (3pm NZT) and Franks will undergo medical checks before the flight, but coach Todd Blackadder was pessimistic about the front rower's prospects of making the journey when quizzed after the match.

"We're holding our breath on him, but it's not looking good," Blackadder said.

"He felt a bit of a popping sensation there and he's had an injury there before in his lower back."

Super rugby rookie Andrew Olorenshaw is travelling with the squad while promising Southland prop Nick Barrett has been called up as cover and was due to leave Christchurch today bound for Cape Town.

Last November Franks had to return home before the second leg of the Grand Slam against Scotland after injuring his back during a gym session.

He recovered during the off-season and has formed a strong propping unit with his sibling Owen and loosehead Wyatt Crockett.

The trio have been rotated during the Crusaders 10 matches so far but Crockett and Owen Franks can now expect to log plenty of game time against the Stormers in Cape Town next Sunday (NZT) and Cheetahs at Bloemfontein the following weekend.

Crockett, one of the New Zealand conference's form looseheads, sympathised with Franks' predicament and realised he faced a tough assignment against the Stormers at Newlands.

"They're pretty solid up front. They've had the wood on us the last few times so it'll be a big challenge," he said.

The Crusaders scrum set a solid platform - and finished strongly - against the Force while Crockett was also prominent on defence when making hits usually associated with Sonny Bill Williams.

Crockett was penalised for one jarring blow on Force fullback Cameron Shepherd and before referee Vinnie Munro could blow the whistle he clattered Brett Sheehan with a legitimate hit that left the halfback with a cut head.

"I thought I used my arms (against Shepherd) but he bounced off," Crockett said.

"It's one of those things. It felt to get some good shoulders on."

Crockett's thunderous tackles typified the Crusaders defensive work as they closed out a five tries to two victory.

"The boys defended well the whole game. Not letting them across late (for a bonus point) shows the attitude of the team," he said.

"Richie's rest (a yellow card in the 46th minute) made it tough but we hung in there and when he came back on he went from strength to strength and finished the game off really strongly."

Meanwhile, in more encouraging personnel news for the Blackadder, No.8 Kieran Read's two weeks of rest and recuperation has expired so he will play the Stormers.

Daniel Carter is also expected to return at first five-eighth after being unavailable with a hamstring strain.

"The cavalry's arriving shortly," Blackadder smiled.

- NZPA