Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has revealed that just two of his All Blacks will be on prescribed resting plans in the new Super Rugby tournament for the Rugby World cup later this year.
Blackadder says that the rest of his All Blacks-laden Crusaders squad will be on managed workloads throughout the Super 15 season.
Graham Henry and his All Black assistant coaches have met with all five of the Kiwi Super Rugby franchises and Blackadder’s revelation shows that Henry does not plan to repeat his disastrous 2007 policy of removing most of his players from half of the franchise competition’s season.
Out of the five New Zealand franchises the Crusaders have the most All Blacks and will be affected the most with players such as forwards Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, Sam Whitelock and Owen Franks, and backline stars Dan Carter, Sonny Bill Williams and Israel Dagg.
Blackadder says that he feels he could meet the national coaches’ needs while also ensuring that the Crusaders would get their best shot at securing an eighth Super Rugby title.
The Crusaders coach would not reveal the names of the two All Blacks who will have an an ordered rest period in Super Rugby but it is understood they are veteran lock Thorn and McCaw.
“We actually manage our guys bloody well anyway without even talking to the All Black selectors,” Blackadder told Sunday News.
“Richie last year was given the first couple of weeks off, and, as the competition went on, Brad Thorn had a few weeks off, so did Kieran Read.”
“It’s basically just a continuation of things we already do.”
Blackadder said that the All Blacks coaches main desire was to ensure that the leading player would have a “a couple of weeks off” during the campaign.
“I think that will happen anyway,” he said. “There are always injuries, niggles, a bit of tiredness, so you do those things regardless.
The rotation should not affect the Crusaders too much as they have good depth across the board.