Rugby: Williams is latest Crusaders casualty

Sonny Bill Williams. Photo / Getty Images

All Blacks second five-eighth Sonny Bill Williams and flankers, Matt Todd and Jonathan Poff, became the latest casualties for a battle-scarred Crusaders team looking to regain winning form at the Chiefs' expense in their round 14 Super Rugby match in Napier on Saturday night.

Williams (knee), Todd (thigh) and Poff (rib) joined All Blacks Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis and Sam Whitelock, and Sean Maitland, Kahn Fotuali'i, and Adam Whitelock on the growing list of walking wounded.

The only good news for Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder was that All Blacks lock Brad Thorn had recovered quicker than expected from his calf strain and would come off the bench against the Chiefs.

More good news could be coming next week, however, with All Blacks and Crusaders captain, Richie McCaw, indicating that he was ready to follow Dan Carter and re-sign with the New Zealand Rugby Union.

Blackadder said Williams had not recovered from the knee injury which forced him from the field in the 33-20 loss to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last weekend.

"It hasn't got any better. They drained some fluid off it last night, but it's not worth the risk. By all accounts he'll be right for next week (against the table-topping Reds) so there's no way we want to compromise it," he said.

The livewire Todd, who had played every game in his first Super season, was ruled out with a corked thigh and fellow flanker, Poff, who is bound for London Wasps, suffered a rib injury at training and was replaced in the reserves by Joe Wheeler.

Blackadder has made only two changes to the team which looked short on energy and enthusiasm when succumbing to the Cheetahs after holding a one-point lead at half-time. Auckland recruit Brent Ward will be on the right wing with Ryan Crotty and Robbie Fruean moving in a place to accommodate the absent Williams. The front row rotation continues with one All Blacks prop, Wyatt Crockett, replacing another, Owen Franks.

"We can't afford to take anyone away who is not 100 percent because this is going to be a demanding game," Blackadder said. "We know we're going into a fight here and it will be a tough contest. These New Zealand derbies always are, but we're ready for it and looking forward to it."

Blackadder said some of the Crusaders' decision-making was wanting against the Cheetahs.

"It was always going to be a tough game as we put some much into the game against the Force and against the Stormers that was of test match proportions. It took a lot out of us on the high veldt and we weren't quite on the money.

"But we've recharged, the guys had a couple days off and we had one of our best trainings today. We're pretty focused. We're a determined group here and if anything we're encouraged and more determined than what we were last week."

The Crusaders have won their last three matches against the Chiefs, including a 34-16 victory in their round nine match at Mount Maunganui, but the loss to the Cheetahs has left the seven-times Super champion five points behind the Blues in the New Zealand conference.

McLean Park in Napier is another home match for the crusading South Island franchise and the Chiefs are high on confidence after tipping over the Highlanders and the Stormers in the last two weeks. With All Blacks Siviveni Sivivatu, Richard Kahui and Brendon Leonard finding top form the Chiefs are eyeing an ambush of their injury-hit rival.

Crusaders: Tom Marshall, Brent Ward, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Willi Heinz, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), George Whitelock, Chris Jack, Luke Romano, Ben Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn, Joe Wheeler, Steve Alfeld, Mat Berquist, Tu Umaga-Marshall.

- NZPA