Blackadder’s return a cunning plan
Two of the Crusaders’ three wins this year have come with Ethan Blackadder in the No 7 jersey.
His most recent appearance before Saturday’s win against the Blues was the 39-0 win over the Rebels in round 10.
The Crusaders then lost the next three matches on the bounce with Blackadder on the sidelines through injury.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that if Blackadder and No 10 Fergus Burke had been available for most of the year, the Crusaders wouldn’t be facing an early exit from Super Rugby Pacific.
The rugged flanker was into everything against the Blues on Saturday, making 27 tackles and scoring a try. Coaches have come to expect nothing less from Blackadder, which is why it would be a surprise if he doesn’t make the All Blacks squad.
His injury record is a concern, but you won’t find many coaches who won’t pick a good rugby player because there is a risk he might get injured.
There is plenty of loose forward depth in the country to cope if it happens. But as it stands Blackadder’s workrate and toughness are hard to ignore.
He earns the No 7 jersey in Stuff’s team of the week.
15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Highlanders): One try and two try assists in the Highlanders’ big win against the Drua, and some smart kicking.
14 Chay Fihaki (Crusaders): He has locked down that No 14 jersey with a string of good games and his inside pass for Noah Hotham’s try was a ripper.
13 Billy Proctor (Hurricanes): Won the high-quality duel with Anton Lienert-Brown by a whisker thanks to some key defensive plays. All Blacks-bound.
12 Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes): Modelling career officially over after some facial cuts against the Chiefs, but very powerful in that No 12 jersey.
11 Jona Nareki (Highlanders): Back to his best with an outstanding game against the Drua, including a game-high 110 running metres.
10 Fergus Burke (Crusaders): Orchestrated the Crusaders’ win with a ‘triple-threat’ performance. Can only assume he is leaving New Zealand because he feels Richie Mo’unga is returning.
9 Noah Hotham (Crusaders): Just pips the Highlanders’ Folau Fakatava, but both arguably produced their best games of the season.
8 Brayden Iose (Hurricanes): No fewer than 16 carries for the Hurricanes, which is almost unheard of for a loose forward.
7 Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders): The flanker’s tackle success rate this year is a staggering 98% – 56 from 57 attempts.
6 Cullen Grace (Crusaders): His best game of the season. He made 23 tackles as the Crusaders finally turned up the dial in defence.
5 Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hurricanes): Stood up in an intense match against the Chiefs, especially as a ball carrier.
4 Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues): Few finer/ scarier sights than the big man hitting the ball at pace. Is he now ahead of Tupou Vaa’i in race to partner Scott Barrett?
3 Fletcher Newell (Crusaders): The Crusaders scrum has hit the sweet spot in recent weeks. Whoever finishes top of the ladder will be praying they don’t sneak into the eighth playoff spot.
2 Codie Taylor (Crusaders): For all the bleating about player management and workloads, the dynamic 33-year-old is actually the perfect advertisement for NZ Rugby’s approach.
1 Xavier Numia (Hurricanes): Keeps on delivering in the No 1 jersey. Scott Robertson should avoid Wellington if Numia isn’t rewarded with an All Blacks call-up.