Crusaders players to be favoured for upcoming Tri-Nations Cup All Blacks squad - Rugby News
The All Blacks selectors are contemplating favouring Crusaders players for the upcoming Tri-Nations Cup, staring on July 23. The assistant coach of the All Blacks, Steve Hansen, told the media on July 6 that the Christchurch based players have done all the
hard work required to make their place in the All Blacks side. Hansen hinted that the players who have performed well in the ongoing Super Rugby championship are likely to be selected for the team.
The Tri-Nations Cup is kicking off on July 23 and New Zealand will play its first match against world champions South Africa on July 30. Apart from New Zealand, South Africa and Australia are the other teams taking part in the event.
The assistant coach of the All Blacks appreciated the Crusaders for their brilliant efforts in the Super Rugby championship 2011. The Crusaders started off the season from nothing and they are likely to conclude it with a trophy. There were many ups and
downs in their journey to the finals of Super Rugby. The Crusaders were left homeless right in the start of the championship as a massive tremor ruined their home ground, AMI stadium, in Christchurch on February 22.
Later on in the season, they had to face large scale injuries to major players but managed to handle the situation.
Praising the Crusaders, Hansen said, “We will have to, there's no doubt about that. There's been a huge effort gone into this campaign, their crusade, and they're at the final hurdle this Saturday. Invariably what happens after something like that, combined
with the emotional toll that they've gone through and all the travel, is that there'll be a big sigh and a tired period will come in.”
He further said that, “There's no doubt that we need to make sure that we individualise each person's programme and do what's right for those individuals - it has been a long season.”
The Crusaders will take on the Queensland Reds in the final of Super Rugby on July 9 in Suncorp stadium, Brisbane.
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