Crusaders to arrive in Fiji tomorrow, Chiefs arrives today

Back at training yesterday for the first time since the Welsh Test series, the Crusaders will arrive in Fiji tomorrow to take on the Chiefs in Suva.

Midfielder Ryan Crotty bares the most obvious signs of the whitewash against Wales and is no certainty to play this week, while for the rest of the All Blacks the international season just rolls into the second half of Super Rugby.

Any talk that the All Blacks will find it difficult to re‑focus holds no sway with coach Todd Blackadder.

Crusaders captain Kieran Read is also looking forward to the match.

Meanwhile Chiefs coach Dave Rennie will not be starting all of his All Blacks players while Charlie Ngatai may not be back for the franchise this year.

Rennie does not want to overload his international players who are coming off the 3‑0 series win over Wales.

That group comprises of Damian McKenzie, Setareki Tamanivalu, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr‑Barlow, Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick and Nathan Harris, all of whom have been named in a 25‑strong travelling squad which arrives in Fiji today for their home game.

The Chiefs will host the Crusaders at 7.35pm Friday at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.

Source: Newshub.nz