Dan Carter drops while Richie McCaw makes a comeback – Super Rugby update
During a training camp on Wednesday in Christchurch, the All Black hero picked up a hamstring strain. Dan Carter might be missing the clash against Chiefs on Friday at Mt Maunganui and has given a blow to Crusaders.
At the same time, Crusaders have been boosted due to inclusion of another All Black legend, Richie McCaw. The All Black skipper will be making his first appearance for Crusaders for this year’s Super Rugby. McCaw was suffering through a foot injury, from
which he has recovered completely.
Dan Carter was supposed to be in the starting lineup for the Chief’s clash, but after the injury Matt Berquist will be filling in for him. Berquist will be taking on the number 10 jersey as a fly half. The Carter and McCaw combo was the most awaited and
anticipated duo in the Super 15 this year, but the things turned out to be quite different.
Daryl Gibson, the Crusaders’ back said, “It's disappointing for Dan that he's had a recurrence of the hamstring injury he's been battling for the last three weeks. The medical staff did everything right and stuck to the protocol for him to return to play
and he ticked all those boxes.”
Revealing this piece of information he mentioned that even though everything was going right for him, but the today it went all the opposite. He added, “Unfortunately today something did not go quite right for him and he had another little tear. It's a little
disruptive, but the good thing is that Matt Berquist played last week against the Bulls and did a pretty good job so we're confident he can slot in and run the ship.”
Gibson indicated that this injury might also make Dan Carter miss the next clash Chiefs, which is with Highlanders. But on the brighter aspect, McCaw’s presence will change a lot. After being ruled out due to a foot operation, he showed up for the training
and moved around freely like he does. He has been called on benches for now, so the risk factor for another injury is minimized. He will be called on field though, but probably in second half.
Richie McCaw is glad to get a chance to play for Crusaders before the whole World Cup hype starts. He said, “I'm excited to be back in the mix. In the last couple of weeks I've really started to feel like I wanted to get back into the swing of things. The
foot feels good and I don't think there are any worries there, it might just be a bit tough on the lungs.”
It’s been four months since McCaw played rugby and he might take some time to pick his pace. He looked good on training and was at ease, but as indicated by him, the lungs will be a minor issue that he has to face. Todd Blackadder, the coach is also glad
for his arrival, but McCaw told that there is no particular time period for which he will be playing for Crusaders. This matter is still not discussed with Blackadder, as informed by McCaw.
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