Ankle surgery for Sam Whitelock

[TRF_Cymro]

Crusaders second-row Sam Whitelock has been ruled out for up to eight weeks after suffering an ankle injury during their win over the Sharks.

The franchise revealed that he has a high-grade medial ankle ligament tear and associated 'boney' injury. He is likely to have surgery.

"In other injuries from that match, fly-half Dan Carter's hamstring is responding well, as is number eight Kieran Read's 'stinger' neck injury," read a statement.

"Both are possibilities for the Crusaders match against the Bulls at Alpine Energy Stadium in Timaru on Saturday."

The in-form outfit also said that Richie McCaw trained fully with the team on Monday following his recovery from a stress fracture in his foot, but is not in the frame for Saturday's match.

http://www.planet-rugby.co.uk/story/0,25883,16024_6851910,00.html​

 

[Amobokoboko]

Sad to hear, but this could mean the Chiefs could push something in two weeks time.

 

[ranger]

Sad to hear, but this could mean the Chiefs could push something in two weeks time.

Good luck, but a quick heads up: Whitelocks replacement has 67 test caps and over 100 super rugby games under his belt. Its not too bad of a downgrade.

 

[d1e1m]

Good luck, but a quick heads up: Whitelocks replacement has 67 test caps and over 100 super rugby games under his belt. Its not too bad of a downgrade.

Chris Jack, phfffffft, never heard of him. /sarcasm

While Jack might not bring the same ever-presence and athleticism that has be a signature of Big Sams game, he certain has the experience to make himself felt. His lack of first team game these last two years became Sam keeps him out might mean he's a little rusty but he was playing well as captain of Tasman (and WP before than, and Saracens before that, and the Crusaders before that.) Yea, I'd prefer Whitelock but Jack is no slouch.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Just trying to be positive.

 

[Shaggy]

Who will come on to the bench? - Joe Wheeler?

 

[lucky number 7]

Shame .. whitelock was looking super against the sharks

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Good to hear he'll be back before the end but I am glad we are going to see some more of Chris Jack. He had a great little cameo for Western Province and cetainly endeared himslef to us WP supporters. Best of luck to both of them.

 

[d1e1m]

Who will come on to the bench? - Joe Wheeler?

Probably, Wheeler's one of those athletic locks who can also play at 6 like Big Sam. Showed some good running and skills last year with his cameos. Makes me wish Mike Patterson had chosen to stay in NZ instead of leaving but so it goes. Wheeler better enjoy his time because he's losing his bench spot to McCaw in 2 weeks.

 

[Shaggy]

Probably, Wheeler's one of those athletic locks who can also play at 6 like Big Sam. Showed some good running and skills last year with his cameos. Makes me wish Mike Patterson had chosen to stay in NZ instead of leaving but so it goes. Wheeler better enjoy his time because he's losing his bench spot to McCaw in 2 weeks.

Wouldn't McCaw take Poff's place on the bench?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Sad news about Whitelock but when you got the experience and a player of Jack quality to come in, its not that bad.

 

[Larksea]

not good considering he's pretty important to the AB's as well but he's a young dude and will have good support so I would not bet against him coming back early. Also a good chance for Chris Jack to Stake a claim. He's looked good when he's come on. not as mobile as Sam but he's more powerful and very experienced

 

[Darwin]

Wouldn't McCaw take Poff's place on the bench?

Yep - one of the bench spot will go to the reserve loose-forward (probably George Whitelock in the big games, though they will likely rotate their players).

In terms of the reserve lock, the other two locks in the Crusaders squad are Wheeler and Luke Romano. Wheeler would be the obvious choice though as he had a great season for Tasman (before injury). I really rate Wheeler, as he has developed into a top quality player over the last few years - I was hoping he might come down to the Highlanders at the start of the season! I hope Wheeler gets a chance to play number 8 during the season as well, as he was one of the form Number 8's of the ITM Cup last year.

 

[d1e1m]

Wouldn't McCaw take Poff's place on the bench?

Nah, I think they're still building up Wheeler as a Sam-clone for the next year when Thorn retires or at least takes a step back from first team. Poff has a good bit of SUper Rugby experience and has shown he can at least step in for George Whitelock. Wheeler will have his chance off the bench during the latter stages no doubt but I would put Poff on the bench for now.

Edit: Of course I forget they need a balanced bench but Darwin, I would pick ROmano over wheeler considering he's been good for Canty in the ruck and has really carried the ball well.

 

[ranger]

Nah, I think they're still building up Wheeler as a Sam-clone for the next year when Thorn retires or at least takes a step back from first team. Poff has a good bit of SUper Rugby experience and has shown he can at least step in for George Whitelock. Wheeler will have his chance off the bench during the latter stages no doubt but I would put Poff on the bench for now.

Edit: Of course I forget they need a balanced bench but Darwin, I would pick ROmano over wheeler considering he's been good for Canty in the ruck and has really carried the ball well.

I wasn't a fan of Romano at all.. He liked like he was trying too hard to be Isaac Ross. The Crusaders backline is awesome, they don't need a guy with a low number on his back swanning around and throwing offloads.

 

[nickdnz]

I'm a little bit pleased on the sly. Whitelock is brillaint, and will be in the AB's come the RWC, but I really want Chris Jack to push for a position, and I think this gives him as good a chance as he'll get.