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Loose forward Jordan Taufua to miss final as Crusaders face injury crisis

The Crusaders will be without one of their stars and will battle a hooking crisis heading into next weekend’s Super Rugby final against the Lions.

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Regular back-up hooker Andrew Makalio was a late withdrawal from the bench and missed his team’s semifinal clash against the Hurricanes. Makalio suffered a calf strain at training and is unlikely to be fit for the final.

Makalio has stood in for regular reserve hooker Ben Funnell for most of the season, who managed seven appearances before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

Sebastian Siataga, who replaced Makalio in the No. 16 jersey for the semi-final, is also out for the final.

After replacing starter Codie Taylor in the 71st minute, Siataga lasted just two minutes before he had to leave the field with what looked like an arm injury, and was sent to the hospital for scans. It was later confirmed that he will require surgery.

Two more key Crusaders left the semi-final early, with loose forward Jordan Taufua and centre Ryan Crotty both forced from the field through injury.

Head coach Scott Robertson confirmed Tuafua suffered a broken arm in the win and will require surgery, while Crotty left the field in the 73rd minute to undergo a head injury assessment.

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“We will monitor him [Crotty] during the week, he passed the first part of it. He did get a bell ringer and we will just trust our medical staff with the process,” Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson said post-match.

Tighthead prop Michael Alaalatoa is also in doubt after tweaking his back.

The Crusaders – who have won a league-best seven titles in their history – are hoping to go back-to-back when they meet the Lions in the grand final for the second consecutive year next weekend.

In other news:

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TI 1 hour ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Rieko took literally years to turn from a defensive liability at 13 into a guy, who’s defensively sound as it befits the position. And it all came at the cost of him being much less of an offensive threat, than what he used to be. Proctor is a natural 13, he handles, passes, and kicks way better than Rieko ever will, he just isn’t as fast.


It’s unfair to judge Tupaea on the handful of games he’s had in 2022 before he got nearly crippled by a Wallaby lock. What could Tupaea/Proctor pairing be, if they got the same amount of chances as Jordie/Rieko?


Because no matter how you spin it, playing a player outside of his natural position is a poor asset management. No matter how talented he is, he still competes against players who had years and years of practice at the position. And if said guy is so talented that he actually CAN compete against specialists, imagine how much better still he could have been, if he had all those years to iron the toothing issues at the position. It just drives me mad.


Two things I hate in rugby union beyond description: aping after league, and playing players outside of their natural position. Especially considering, that they all admit they hate it, when they’re allowed to speak freely. Owen Farrell spent 80% of his international career at 12, saying every time when asked, that he is a 10 and prefers to play at 10. Those players are literally held at a gunpoint: play out of position, or no national jersey for you.

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Hellhound 2 hours ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

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