The Crusaders will be without their captain for the next four weeks after David Havili hurt his heel during the their derby win over the Highlanders last Saturday.
Head coach Rob Penney confirmed Havili’s status yesterday afternoon.
As Penney noted, the Crusaders are treating the fact he could return in 3 to 4 weeks as a win, given there were initially fears he had done more damage to his foot.
The Crusaders went into last week’s match against the Highlanders with 14 players out injured, five more than the next most dinged up side, the Queensland Reds.
Their bulging casualty ward includes long term injuries to pivot James White, who will miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury, and former All Black Cullen Grace (knee).
Outside backs Macca Springer (quad) and Johnny McNicholl (hamstring), loose forwards Corey Kellow (ribs) and Dominic Gardiner (ankle and knee), and pivot Taha Kemara (concussion) are among the injured.
Dallas McLeod is likely to replace Havili at second five-eighth.
The Crusaders will face Moana Pasifika at 6.05pm Saturday.
In other matches, the Highlanders will host Hurricanes at 6.05pm Friday, the Brumbies will meet the Chiefs at 8.35pm, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will face the Reds at 3.35pm Saturday and the Waratahs will take on the Blues at 8.35pm Saturday.
Source: Stuff.co.nz
