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Braydon Ennor will miss the entire Crusaders Super Rugby Aotearoa 2021 campaign, while teammate All Black George Bridge will miss half the season.
Coach Scott Robertson confirmed the injured pair’s status Wednesday when he announced his 38-man squad, which includes four rookies, Tamaiti Williams, Isaiah Punivai, Chay Fihaki and Fletcher Newell, to lean toward a fifth straight title.
Midfielder Ennor will be out of the game until the trans-Tasmanian component of the season as he rehabilitates the knee that was broken in the North-South game in September, but Bridge (chest) should be back for the round six game of the Crusaders at home against the Highlanders on April 2.
The same goes for his wingman Manasa Mataele. Like Bridge, he suffered a pectoral injury in October.
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With the aforementioned trio out of action, Robertson could choose to start Will Jordan at fullback and Leicester Fainga’anuku and Sevu Reece on the wings, moving utility David Havili to midfield with Jack Goodhue.
“We are lucky to have a lot of depth that can go in. It will give other guys opportunities. We have a lot of guys who can play multiple positions, like Dave Havili and Leicester Fainga’anuku, ”said Robertson.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Crusaders wing George Bridge injured his chest while in camp with the All Blacks ahead of the Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations.
“To win championships, you need depth. With Georgie out, Leicester enters. There is great competition in all positions. There is a young man [midfielder] Dallas McLeod, who is also a better year. The depth of our team is very important. “
The four new Crusaders went through the 11-champion academy, which means they’ve already trained with the team in the past.
That bodes well for the Punivai and Fihaki utilities, who could gain opportunities as Bridge, Ennor and Mataele rebound.
“They know our week, they know our players. They know our calls. They can just come in and be their best and trust themselves, ”Robertson said.
The Highlanders tried to lure Punivai to Dunedin alongside his older brother Ngane, who played for the Crusaders in 2019 but moved south this year.
Kerry Marshall / Getty Images
New crusader Isaiah Punivai in action against Hawke’s Bay in Napier earlier this year.
However, Punivai, who in October sealed the first gold points match in NPC history with a 60-meter interception attempt, stayed put.
Born in Lower Hutt, the 20-year-old grew up a hurricane fan before moving to Christchurch with his family a decade ago.
“I don’t think I’ll take a second look at it now. My name is Cantabrian, Canterbury is my home, I feel like I had most of my childhood here, this is my home and this has always been the dream.
“I have to be honest, I had some conversations with the Highlanders guys. They were all open and transparent with me and [Ngane]. It was good to have an outside perspective on the situation, but ultimately this is my home. I couldn’t leave. “
Kai Schwoerer / Getty Images
Former Auckland schoolboy Chay Fihaki scored Canterbury’s only try in the first half against Auckland.
Like Punivai and Fihaki, tight head supports Newell and Williams just came out of their first NPC seasons with Canterbury. All four were members of the Canterbury Under-19 team that won the national title last year.
Everyone was present at the team announcement, except the 140kg mainstay Williams, who is in camp with the Māori All Blacks this week.
Robertson confirmed that loose and desperately unfortunate forward Ethan Blackadder, who underwent knee surgery in July, would be available for the first round (Feb. 26).
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The 28-year-old runner said the average age of those around him is just 22.
Scott Barrett, who missed this year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign with a foot injury, would once again be the captain of the Crusaders.
Most of the team will form in Christchurch on January 11. The All Blacks will join them in the second week of February and will be available to play half of the team’s second preseason game (February 19).
Robertson will announce the members of the broader training team in the coming weeks.
Squad of crusaders 2021
Whores: Codie Taylor, Andrew Makalio and Brodie McAlister
Accessories: Joe Moody, Michael Alaalatoa, George Bower, Oliver Jager, Williams Children, Other Funeral Services, Fletcher Newell
Locks: Scott Barrett (captain), Sam Whitelock, Mitchell Dunshea, Quinten Strange, Luke Romano
Loose forwards: Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Sione Havili, Tom Sanders
Halfbacks: Bryn Hall, Mitchell Drummond and Ere Enari
Inside back: Richie Mo’unga, Brett Cameron and Fergus Burke
Midfielders: Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod
Outer backs: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, George Bridge, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Manasa Mataele, Chay Fihaki, Isaiah Punivai
Departed players: Fetuli Paea (Highlanders), Billy Harmon (Highlanders), Harry Allan (injured), Inga Finau, Ethan Roots
