Rugby: Mud, noise, dust, but for the Crusaders there's no place like home

Israel Dagg of the Crusaders. Photo / APN

On the eve of the Crusaders' first home game in Christchurch for two years, their new stadium, a bit like the city, still resembles a worksite.

The big media contingent which turned out yesterday for the Crusaders' final open training session at the stadium before Saturday night's match against the Cheetahs quickly discovered the advice to bring their own safety gear was a serious one.

Luckily for the out-of-town reporters who came without any, there's an abundance of hard hats and fluoro vests in this city still reeling from 18 months of earthquakes.

The steady rain and mud in and around a stadium almost ready after only four months of construction wouldn't be expected to produce happy faces at training - nor the banging and rumbling of construction crews - but the Crusaders couldn't stop smiling.

"I think it's great," said coach Todd Blackadder. "It's good to be playing amongst all the noise. With the crowd so close we've got to get used to it; the more noise the better.

"Things aren't perfect, the guys are still working on the construction of this place, but it just seems so minor compared to having to travel."

They're also relishing the fact they'll probably play to a capacity crowd of 17,500 in a rugby-specific stadium.

Someone else who was smiling, and just at the prospect of playing, was Dan Carter. The All Blacks first-five, preparing for a match for the first time since last year's World Cup, has been named in the reserves after recovering from the groin injury which stopped not only him but also a nation.

He will watch as someone from the other end of the experience spectrum, Tom Taylor, starts at first-five for the first time in a Super Rugby match following his selection ahead of Tyler Bleyendaal.

"We just want to give Tom an opportunity," Blackadder said. "Tyler has done well, he's still a work in progress and has only had three Super Rugby games; we just wanted to give Tom a chance. I thought he did really well for the Crusader Knights against Tonga and also he gives us a bit more of a mix with the reserves bench knowing he can play 12 as well.

"We've got Ryan Crotty coming back from a long injury so we're not too sure about his game time and obviously we've got DC on the bench as well."

Apart from the still-developing 23-year-old Taylor, the backline has a much more balanced look, Israel Dagg moving from the wing to his favoured fullback position and Zac Guildford and Sean Maitland on the flanks.

Crotty will join Robbie Fruean in the midfield after recovering from a hamstring injury which sidelined him from the Highlanders and Chiefs defeats.

Luke Whitelock, 22, also makes his starting debut, replacing big brother George - who has an Achilles strain - at blindside flanker.

"We expect big things from Luke," Blackadder said of New Zealand's skipper at last year's junior world championships. "He's certainly got the pedigree and it's a great chance for him to stake a claim for that No 6 jersey."

Sam, another brother, returns to lock in place of Tom Donnelly, who is nursing a minor calf problem.

A construction worker said crews would work through the night to finish the job before the landmark game. They've done up to 18-hour days so far.

"It's going to be good, eh?" he said. "It'll do the job."

The Crusaders certainly think so.

- APNZ