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Crusaders star set for sideline stint after sustaining shoulder injury in Chiefs clash

Tom Christie. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Crusaders flanker Tom Christie is set for a sideline spell for an undetermined length of time after dislocating his shoulder during his side’s 39-17 win over the Chiefs in Christchurch on Saturday.

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The 23-year-old was forced from the field in the second half of his side’s victory, with the Crusaders confirming on Monday that he “will undergo further investigation and specialist review over the next few days to determine the appropriate management.”

The news will be a bitter blow for the reigning Super Rugby Aotearoa champions, who are set to face-off against the Blues in a top-of-the-table clash at Eden Park in Auckland this weekend.

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Ben Foden Mic’d Up at training with Rugby United New York

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Ben Foden Mic’d Up at training with Rugby United New York

Since debuting for the franchise last year, Christie has become a key member of the Christchurch-based side, having started in eight of the Crusaders’ last eight Super Rugby Aotearoa matches as well as all six of their Super Rugby matches pre-COVID.

Impressing with his defensive work rate, the former New Zealand U20 captain and 2018 New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year earned selection in the South Island squad in last year’s North vs South clash in Wellington.

While he didn’t make the cut for the match day side, his inclusion in the South Island side is indicative of how highly he is regarded within the Kiwi rugby fraternity.

However, that won’t be of any consolation to the Crusaders, although they have a capable replacement in the form of promising Tasman flanker Sione Havili, who started at blindside flanker in the Chiefs match.

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Christie isn’t the only loose forward casualty Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has had to deal with recently, as one-test All Blacks youngster Cullen Grace was as late withdrawal from the starting side to face the Chiefs due to sore ribs.

He is expected to be available for the Blues match, though, as could blindside flanker Ethan Blackadder, who missed the Chiefs match due to a head knock he picked up against the Hurricanes the week beforehand.

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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