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All Black star's return date delayed as Crusaders prepare for Fijian clash

Owen Franks. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

A return to the playing field from an ongoing shoulder injury for All Blacks and Crusaders prop Owen Franks won’t come this week.

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That’s the verdict from Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson, who has ruled out the 106-test veteran from his side’s Kiwi derby clash with the Chiefs in Suva, Fiji this week.

Franks suffered a small muscle tear in his right shoulder in April and was slated to make his return to action this week, but a slow recovery process means the 31-year-old’s return date has been extended.

He joins fullback Will Jordan (foot) and hooker Codie Taylor (broken finger) as the notable injury-enforced absentees from an otherwise full-strength Crusaders squad.

After missing the 19-all draw with the Stormers in Cape Town before being rested during the 19-11 win over the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday, All Blacks skipper Kieran Read is expected to mark his return from a minor shoulder injury in the Fijian capital this weekend.

His return to the fold will enhance the Crusaders’ chance of victory against a lowly Chiefs outfit, which would secure them top-seed three weeks in advance of the Super Rugby play-offs.

However, tasked with the challenge of dealing with the excessive heat and humidity that comes with playing in the Pacific Islands, which differs vastly from the cold, damp conditions that the Crusaders are accustomed to in Christchurch at this time of the year, Robertson emphasised the importance of his side remaining focused in training this week.

“We spent a lot of time on [Friday] looking at the next couple of weeks,” Robertson told Stuff.

“Obviously, Fiji is totally different to playing here. And the last time we played there it was hot. I know Fiji is hot, but it was  . . . we trained on a Thursday morning and oh my goodness, I remember looking at Matt Todd and he was dizzy, and we were only half an hour into training.

“So we have to be smart this week, and hopefully we get the job done next week against the Chiefs, play a competitive Rebels side, and then go into a bye with a bit of momentum [before the playoffs].”

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Nickers 29 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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