NZ latest – Richie returns
30 Jun 2011
Keo.co.za brings you news from New Zealand’s franchises.
Richie returns - Richie McCaw has recovered from a foot injury and will captain the Crusaders in the semi-final against the Stormers. McCaw was forced to withdraw on the eve of the league-phase match in May, but now leads a vastly superior side to the one they fielded then. The flanker replaces Matt Todd in the starting line-up.
No 8 Kieran Read also returns from an ankle injury for the Cape Town crunch match, the winners of which move on to face either the Reds or the Blues in the final.
Hooker Corey Flynn will mark a milestone with his 100th game for the side.
Crusaders – 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Subs: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Matt Todd, 20 Kahn Foutali’i, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 Ryan Crotty.
11 Comments
30 Jun 2011, 08:06 am
The return of the King
30 Jun 2011, 08:30 am
powerful team….
ai man ….go stormers….vasbyt boys!
30 Jun 2011, 08:46 am
Butcher is back!!!
Hobbs relishes return
Thursday, 30 June 2011 11.27 a.m.
Michael Hobbs admits there were times when he wasn’t sure he would ever get back on the rugby field.
So to come through Wellington’s pre-season match against Manawatu on Wednesday afternoon unscathed was something for the 23-year-old to savour following surgery on his back last year.
Hobbs played the full 80 minutes in Palmerston North and relished every moment of it.
“It was good to get out there again,” he said after Wellington’s last-gasp 10-7 win. “Obviously it’s good to get through the 80 minutes unscathed. It’s the first time that’s happened in a while. I enjoyed it. The lungs were burning there a little bit but I’m happy with how it went.”
It’s no surprise he was feeling the effects after more than 12 months on the sideline. He hasn’t played since the Highlanders’ loss to the Hurricanes in April 2010 and hasn’t featured for Wellington since his debut season in 2008 because of ongoing back problems which first surfaced during his Super 14 campaign with the Blues in 2009.
The result was surgery in the United States last August then five months in a brace followed by strength and conditioning work.
“I’ve had a 25mm screw put into my L2 vertebrae to basically reattach a fractured piece of bone,” Hobbs explained. “It’s not the most pleasant thing in the world. I was in brace and wasn’t allowed to bend, lift or twist for five months so going from being very active to nothing was quite tough.
“I’m really happy with the way things have gone now. I’m pleased with the choice I made to get the surgery done.”
The recovery has not always been plain-sailing and there were moments when he thought his rugby career might be over.
“There were times when I was over in the States where the thought crossed my mind. If I had a set-back with some stiffness or pain when I was doing things in the gym I’d think ‘Jeepers I can’t even get through a weights session how am I going to get through a game when I’m starting to get hit’ and things like that,” he said.
“But I’m really happy how it’s turned out. I know how hard I’ve worked and how hard and the amount of time other people have put into me. It is a relief [that's it's worked] and I’m happy it’s paid off and I get to run out there.
“It may not last forever and I can’t take it for granted but every game is a bonus for me and I have to look at it that way and savour every minute of it.”
Given the injury-interrupted start to his career, Hobbs’ main goal for this condensed ITM Cup season is just to stay fit and be available for every game.
“That’s going to mean making sure I do all my preparation right to do that.” That will involve a now daily routine of Pilates and work on his core strength.
A return to Super Rugby is also a target. “I live in Wellington and grew up in Wellington and grew up as a Hurricanes supporter, but I’ve played for the Blues and the Highlanders and really enjoyed my time at both. So I’m not really going into it with a goal of one franchise or another,” he said.
“I’m just concentrating on performing to a high level with the Lions and contributing as much as I can with the Lions and then letting the Super Rugby side take care of itself. Hopefully an opportunity will present itself at one of the franchises.”
30 Jun 2011, 08:47 am
Return of the dragon haha, anyways still think they worried over this guys fitness and for his sake I hope they not rushing him back
30 Jun 2011, 09:56 am
Great side. Far better team than the one that played against the stormers last time they were at Newlands. Going to be a fantastic clash.
30 Jun 2011, 10:17 am
Maybe a mistake just coming off an injury and has to captain the side
They should have put him on the bench
30 Jun 2011, 10:31 am
Ref will watch him closely , couple of panalties our way.
30 Jun 2011, 10:39 am
Transie
Nice article,really enjoy the way Michael Hobbs plays the game-physical & flat/on the gainline.Plays a lot like Tony Brown in his younger days,always keeps defences honest as he hits line at pace and a good passer if the ball.He would do well at the Chiefs with likes of Leonard,Umaga,Kahui,Masaga,Nanai-Williams etx
Good to see him back on the pitch.
A future AB.
30 Jun 2011, 12:29 pm
Very strong Crusaders side.
Backs have pace, power and brains.
Forwards, experience and nous.
Before I saw the starting lineup, I thought , Stormboys…………………………………….now I’m not so sure.
Brokebacks could be on the recieving end of a broadsword.
30 Jun 2011, 12:30 pm
The Return of the King.
30 Jun 2011, 17:59 pm
@cane(cane)-9:
interesting also to factor in the 2 week break that both Stormers & Reds have enjoyed. On the 1 hand its a massive advantage – team has a relaxing mini-break, in the comfort of home, and can build slowly to the Big Game whilst healing niggles and injuries.
The flip-side of the coin says that their opposition has built momentum, combinations and have experience of the Playoff pressure. They have had no time to consider their Opponent, just building as they have throughout the season.
The Stormers retain the advantage of Home but should be wary that in the similar 6-team Playoff format of NRL (Aussie League) that the team with the 1-week break, often appear rusty in the opening Qter. If the Crusaders can score early, then the Stormers could hit the panic button.
Stormers definitely start as Favourites with that slim Home-ground advantage.
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