ABasquefan or Crusadersfan . . .

Can either of you give us an injury update on Manasa Mataele?

Will he be good to go this weekend and if not, who do you think will replace him?

...Mata' ele done his knee in so could be some time -a big loss for the Crusties...but my guesss is Will Jordan could replace him 

For Will Jordan, it's not a case of if he'll shine in Super Rugby, but whether or not he'll get the opportunity to do so. Named Tasman Player of the Year in the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup season after a stellar campaign with the Mako, Jordan will hope he doesn't have to spend another season watching from the sidelines at Super Rugby level. The 20-year-old fullback has all the tools required to succeed at the next level and should Mitchell Hunt and David Havili be unavailable, Jordan might make it hard for them to reclaim a starting role. NZ Herald

I expected the Reds to be blown away last weekend. They put up a good show and showed they could be competitive.

rooi,

the last I read about it, was in an interview to O'Gara published today,...

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/110838090/crusaders-assistant-ronan-ogara-open-to-all-blacks-coaching-opportunity

where it's said:

"Blockbusting wing Manasa Mataele, who suffered what appeared a serious knee injury against the Hurricanes, is awaiting a scan, and O'Gara said they were hoping for the best.

Mataele wasn't able to walk off the field by himself though, indicating it could be severe. 

O'Gara said they were in the "lap of the gods" until they knew the scan results and Mataele was wearing a precautionary leg bandage."

so nothing is known yet,.... but if you are asking for the Fantasy, I wouldn't be very optimistic,.... he injured his knee and given how he did it, trying to sidestep, it will be surely an ACL issue,... which usually goes from, at least, 4 weeks to even 6 months if it's ruptured (which c ould make him even lose the NPC)

The Crusties have plenty of options for Mataele...also being suggested is Braydon Ennor who played in the centres in Round 1 i think...

then there's Sevu Reece who lost his Connacht contract this year for assault but was picked up by the Crusties - he was a try scoring machine in the NPC last year -  a very dangerous player that i wished the Chiefs had picked up....Two other uncapped rookie options also in Leicester Faingaanuku and Ngane Punivai... so anyone' s guess

yeah, I have him in the RM too,.... let's wait what happens,.... hope is the less grave possible,.... mainly for him and the saders,....

if it's only some weeks time it would probably be better to keep him,.... there are very few transfers in that comp

brycy,

I think for the moment the picking order is Ennor first, then Jordan who, besides, is an specialized FB, I think (I just have seen him playing there) ... and then Faingaanuku, Punivai or Reece

Braydon Ennor will be his more possible replacement,... yeah, he played an excellent first game at the center,... but he can play indistinctly at center or wing,... very fast player with a clear rugby brain

...Abasque i think your right, and talk about rotation this week and resting ABs could see both Ennor and Jordan in the lineup perhaps...

possibly,.... the core of the AB, those players who use to play starting or from the bench have to play 180 minutes maximum the first 3 games,.... the players in risk of surpassing that amount are S. Barrett, R. Mo'unga and R. Crotty,... Barrett and Mo'unga both played 80 and 50 minutes,... which means they can still play another 50 minutes against the reds,... and they can still start,... possibly is what will happens

but Crotty played 65 and 80 minutes,... he can play only 35 minutes next weekend,... he will come from the bench or he could even be rested,... this meaning both Ennor and J ordan could play

a probable starting backline could be

10. Mo'unga

11. G. Bridge

12. D. Havili

13. J. Goodhue

14. B. Ennor

15. W. Jordan

finally Havili is benched and Bateman will play at 12,....I prefer Bateman at 12, he has lot more experience there,...

but strange to bench Havili,... he had an excellent game against canes,... after a very average 2018 I thought he was regaining his 2017 form,...

this gives the chance to Jordan to show what he has,.... had an outstanding NPC season,... even though he faded a little bit in the most important game, the semi ,... let see what he's capable of,... very promising FB

and about Mata3ele,... still nothing definitive but today has been published that:

"Wing Manasa Mataele, who injured a knee against the 'Canes, is scheduled to see a specialist on Friday and Robertson conceded his season could already be over."

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/110933963/ryan-crotty-rested-as-crusaders-make-five-changes-for-clash-with-reds