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Crusaders’ Leigh Halfpenny set for lengthy sideline stint with chest injury
By
Finn Morton
Wales rugby great Leigh Halfpenny is set for an unfortunate stint on the sidelines after suffering an injury to his pectoral muscle during his Crusaders debut in Ireland last weekend.
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Halfpenny, who represented Wales and the British & Irish Lions during a storied international career, played about 15 minutes during the Crusaders’ 21-19 loss to Munster in Cork.
The 35-year-old left the field and spent the remainder of the match watching on from the sidelines with his arm in a sling.
Gutted for Leigh, but we can’t wait to see him in the red & black later on in 2024 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QP0l3Z7VxG
— Crusaders (@crusadersrugby) February 7, 2024
Ahead of the teams’ clash with Bristol Bears on Saturday morning (NZT), the Crusaders have confirmed that Halfpenny will miss a significant period of the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season.
Halfpenny will need surgery and is expected to be unavailable for at least three to four months.
“He will have surgery up here, and once he is ready to fly he will come back home and rehab in Christchurch,” assistant coach Tamati Ellison said, as reported by Stuff.
“It is a real bummer for him. Especially having time here at the hotels and with the group. He is just starting to open up, and get the best out of him.
“He will still help, even during his rehab period, around some of the kicking and the game-driving for a few of our younger boys. He has been great there, already.
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“We are expecting him to play. If the rehab goes well, he will be looking forward to playing,”
Chay Fihaki replaces Halfpenny at fullback ahead of the Crusaders’ second match of their Northern Tour this weekend.
England international Willi Heinz will captain the side as they continue to build during the Northern Tour.
Crusaders team to take on Bristol Bears
- Kershawl Sykes-Martin
- Goerge Bell
- Seb Calder
- Quinten Strange (VC)
- Jamie Hannah
- Dominic Gardiner
- Corey Kellow
- Christian Lio-Willie
- Willi Heinz (C)
- Rivez Reihana
- Macca Springer
- Ryan Crotty
- Jone Rova
- Manasa Matale
- Chay Fihaki
Finishers
- Ioane Moananu
- George Bower
- Ryan Coxon
- Antonio Shalfoon
- Fletcher Anderson
- Noah Hotham
- Taha Kemara
- Levi Aumua
- Taine Robinson
- Jack Gray
- Gus Brown
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When you sign a Welsh geriatric what do you expect? Dumb signing. From a franchise that aren’t generally dumb. Losing Razor has gone to their head
Yeah, he injured it during the haka & it got worse during the game. Hard luck mate.
And no, the Crusaders sren’t looking to “bounce back” from anything. They’re looking at giving the rest of the traveling squad a hitout. Sheesh, 21 of these guys nsmed are practically newbies.
It’s a preseason tour.