Growing injury concern for Crusaders

INJURY UPDATE: Crusaders' 39-17 win over the Chiefs in Christchurch on Saturday has been accompanied with a major setback.

The Super Rugby Aotearoa Champions revealed that flank Tom Christie faces a lengthy spell on the sidelined after dislocating his shoulder during Saturday's win.

The 23-year-old was forced to leave the field in the second half of the Christchurch fixture.

Crusaders confirmed on Monday that he “will undergo further investigation and specialist review over the next few days to determine the appropriate management.”

The news will be a bitter blow for the reigning Super Rugby Aotearoa champions, who are set to face-off against the Blues in a top-of-the-table clash at Eden Park in Auckland this weekend.

Since debuting for the franchise last year, Christie has become a key member of the Christchurch-based side, having started in eight of the Crusaders’ last eight Super Rugby Aotearoa matches as well as all six of their Super Rugby matches pre-COVID.

Christie isn’t the only loose forward casualty Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has had to deal with recently, as one-test All Blacks youngster Cullen Grace was as late withdrawal from the starting side to face the Chiefs due to sore ribs.

He is expected to be available for the Blues match, though, as could blindside flank Ethan Blackadder, who missed the Chiefs match due to a head knock he picked up against the Hurricanes the week beforehand.