Super Rugby preview: Crusaders without All Blacks duo for Bulls trip
Thursday 4 May 2017 15:10, UK
Super Rugby leaders Crusaders have decided against appealing captain Sam Whitelock's suspension and will take on the Bulls on Saturday without two senior All Blacks.
In addition to losing Whitelock, who copped a two-week ban for striking an opponent during last week's 48-21 win over the Cheetahs, the Crusaders will also be without All Blacks' captain Kieran Read, who broke a thumb in the same match.
The loss of the veteran internationals for round 11 will impact on the Crusaders pack against the renowned power of the Bulls forwards.
With the Crusaders the only unbeaten side in the competition after 10 rounds, coach Scott Robertson said after Whitelock's suspension that they were considering an appeal.
However, a team spokesman confirmed to AFP on Thursday they had decided to accept the judiciary's ruling and Matt Todd would take over the captaincy.
The Bulls have not enjoyed the best of seasons, with only three wins so far, but two of them have been in their last two games.
They also have home advantage, having beaten the Crusaders for the last five times they met in Pretoria dating back to 2008.
Poised to hit the top spot should the Crusaders fall are the Lions, the Africa 2 conference leaders, who are in Melbourne to play the struggling Rebels.
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Defending champions the Hurricanes open round 11 on Friday against the Stormers, who have shipped over 50 points in successive games.
The Stormers still lead the Africa 1 conference despite losing their past three matches and coach Robbie Fleck has said it was time to arrest the slide.
"We have had to learn some hard lessons on this tour which will be good for us going forward," he said.
"We face the defending champions and the players are determined to make an impression."
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While the Brumbies have a bye, the Waratahs have a chance to move to the top of the Australian conference.
But to do that they will have to be the first Australian side to beat a New Zealand team this year, and with a bonus point, when they host the Blues.
In other 11th round fixtures, the Sharks host the Western Force and Los Jaguares are at home to the Sunwolves.
