The Casualty Ward - Grand Final Edition
There is one week left in Super Rugby 2018 and we have two teams left to duke it out for the title, the Crusaders, and the Lions. This week we take a look at the health of the whole squad before the biggest game of the year.
Episode 21 of The @FantasyXVDraft podcast has Harry, Nelson & Nabung review the two semi finals game and pick apart the grand final. We will delve into injuries and what they mean for each team, team and player stats and match ups and player form. We will post the pod by late Monday evening AEST. You’ll find us across all platforms on the links below:
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Returned from injuries in the Semi Final:
Joe Moody (Crusaders) – Came back from his knee injury to start for the Crusaders. Was a part of a dominant scrum.
New Injuries Semi Finals:
Jordan Taufua (Crusaders) – Broke his arm and requires surgery, won't play in the grand final. Source here. Andrew Makalio (Crusaders) - Late withdrawal from the side before kick off with a calf strain. Said to be unlikely to play the final. Source here. Sevastia Siataga (Crusaders) - The reserve hooker that played in place of Makalio only lasted two minutes before injurying his arm. He apparently requires surgery and won't play in the final. Ryan Crotty (Crusaders) - Concussion, now has to go through the return to play protocols again to try and play in the final. Michael Alaalatoa (Crusaders) - In doubt for the final after straining his back. Jamie Booth (Hurricanes) - Came on late only to be concussed 2 minutes later.
Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions) - Tweaked his hamstring scoring a try. Apparently his scan was clear and he is fit to play in the grand final. Source here.
[getty src="1006998202" width="594" height="396" tld="com.au"] Ryan Crotty is in doubt for the grand final after suffering another concussion on the weekend. Credit to Getty Images
Likely Back for the Grand Final:
Cyle Brink (Lions) – Shoulder ‘Stinger’ in the quarter final. Was thought to be very likely to play but ended up being ruled out late. Cleared fit to play the grand final. Source here.
[getty src="957582552" width="594" height="454" tld="com.au"] Cyle Brink has enjoyed a break out year for the Lions. Credit Getty Images.
Ongoing Injury List:
NEW ZEALAND Crusaders Manasa Mataele (Crusaders) – Ruled out before kick off of the quarter final with a possible hamstring injury. Ben Funnell (Crusaders) – Tore his ACL against the Sunwolves in Rd 10. Out for the season. Oli Jager (Crusaders) – Hurt his shoulder during training before the Lions game (Rd 7). Now decided to have a reconstruction (Rd 11) so won’t play again this season. Tom Sanders (Crusaders) – Fractured the ankle in Rd 10 that got a pin in it in preseason. Requires another operation and is very unlikely to play again this season. Billy Harmon (Crusaders) – Came off against the French Barbarians in week 2 of the internationals with an injured knee. Has apparently torn his MCL (inside knee ligament) and PCL (deep in the knee) which required surgery. Gone for the season. Source here. Jone Macilai (Crusaders) – Fractured his tibial plateau (knee) against the French Barbarians and will be gone for the rest of the season.
SOUTH AFRICA Lions Jaco Kriel (Lions) – Off season shoulder op – was expected back for Rd 4 but reinjured his shoulder, is having ANOTHER operation and is expected out for a further six months! Looks like he is done for the season. Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions) – He has been released to the Sale Sharks immediately. Robbie Coetzee (Lions) – Got taken out by his own team mate and injured his left knee. Has gone for surgery and won’t be seen again this season. Nic Groom (Lions) – Broke his left hand and had surgery after Rd 19, out for the season. Source here.
Have we missed something? Drop a comment or tweet and let us know.
Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.