Ethan Blackadder’s long wait for his first game of the season is about to end – the loose forward has been named to start for the Crusaders against the Waratahs in Sydney on Friday night.
An injury call-up to last year’s World Cup when he replaced wing Emoni Narawa, Blackadder is returning from a calf problem, an issue which came on top of shoulder and thigh injuries which severely restricted his Super Rugby playing time over the past 12 months.
Blackadder’s return is a huge boost for the defending champions, who snapped a horror start to the season with a victory over the Chiefs in Christchurch before their bye last weekend.
They have already played the Waratahs this season – a loss in the Super round in Melbourne in the second week of the competition – but should fancy their chances against an opposition which has struggled since.
The Waratahs have a 1-6 record this season and, with a game in hand, sit one place above the Crusaders in 10th. The Crusaders are 1-5.
“We all know Ethan’s qualities,” Crusaders coach Rob Penney said. “He’s a tremendous player. He brings an enormous spark to the group. Hopefully now he can have a long run.”
Asked about the 29-year-old Blackadder’s mindset, Penney replied: “It’s … a bit tempered. He’s someone who has had disappointments over the last 12 months with recurring injuries, so I think he’s trying to manage himself.
“We’ve been ultra cautious. He’s been really diligent and the medical staff have been really diligent. We’ll have to wait and see where that leads.”
Another who will be cautiously hoping for the best is new All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson, a man who oversaw Blackadder at the Crusaders for seven years and who will hope to have access to his aggressive physicality this year, starting in the two-Test series against England in July.
After his late arrival, Blackadder played only in the World Cup pool match against Uruguay (off the reserves bench).
Some observers feel he may have been provided a point of difference on the bench for the knockout stages ahead of Dalton Papali’i, a loose forward who plays similarly to Sam Cane, and there will be interest in how Robertson uses Blackadder in comparison with Ian Foster.
Blackadder will join skipper Tom Christie and Cullen Grace in the loose forward trio against the Waratahs.
First-five Fergus Burke who was nearing a return from an Achilles injury suffered last year, has suffered a setback with a calf injury.
Burke recently announced he will join Saracens as a replacement for Owen Farrell and will be available for England.
“For us it’s really disappointing, but he’s made well-informed decision,” Penney said of Burke.
“He’s taken that option and we wish him well. Who knows, he may come back.”
The Crusaders will stay in Australia as they play the Force in Perth the following weekend.
Injured All Blacks David Havili and Scott Barrett are due to return for the following match against the Rebels in Christchurch on April 26.
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