IF YOU think there's any justice in Super-14 rugby, think again.
After four weeks limping around recovering from a high ankle sprain, Northland's Jared Payne is ready to get his season under way again for the Crusaders in tonight's match against the Bulls.
Great news for Payne, applause all around, in fact,
until you realise that playing on the wing opposite him is arguably the fastest man in world rugby, Bryan Habana.
"It's going to be pretty tough, especially when I've only been able to run for about a week and a half, so I definitely won't be as sharp as I should be, but hopefully I'll go all right," Payne said.
Given the standard of the opposition, Payne will know immediately how well his ankle has healed.
"They're a big side too, with a big bunch of forwards, so I'll imagine I'll get plenty of opportunity to test it out."
Payne has been one of finds of the year for the Crusaders backline, with his size and surprising speed causing problems to opposition defences in the opening three rounds of the competition.
He was injured during the 0-6 defeat by the Highlanders on March 7 at Carisbrook and has been struggling to recover since.
"It's always tough watching the boys playing out there - I'm not a good spectator at all - but it's been good that they've done so well and have got a few wins," he said.
In his absence, the Crusaders have drawn against the Western Force and beaten the Waratahs and the Stormers to rise to seventh on the table.
A bonus point win tonight at AMI Stadium will see them rise to second equal.
"We're slowly building to where we want to be and all we need is to continue getting a few more things right and hopefully we can keep on putting the teams we need to away," he said.
The Crusaders' injury list has been an issue for the side since the beginning of the season, and Northland prop Bronson Murray has been forced to the sideline this week with a calf strain. Halfback Andy Ellis will also be missed, as will the continued absence of captain Richie McCaw - also injured against the Highlanders.
The Crusaders have the bye next week before flying out for three matches in South Africa.
