Ranks thin for Crusaders in pre-season

Coach Robbie Deans faces a big challenge to get the Crusaders primed for their opening Super 12 match against the Brumbies next February.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry's dictum that his players be rested until February 1 means Deans will have just 26 days with a full squad before meeting the defending champions in Canberra.

Deans may also be without All Blacks centre Casey Laulala and prop Greg Somerville for some pre-season matches because they will be recovering from operations.

Ten Crusaders were on duty during the All Blacks' four-match tour of Europe.

Although many of the Brumbies players represented the Wallabies in Europe, they did not have to play in a competition such as the NPC after the Tri-Nations.

Deans acknowledged there was a danger of the side being under-cooked for the Brumbies fixture on February 26.

"It's just something we have to deal with," he said.

"There's no point getting uptight about it. We are going to help the All Blacks management achieve things from their end because we know there's a big year ahead for them."

The All Blacks management met the Super 12 coaches on September 2 to request they rest their internationals.

Potentially, this could have serious ramifications for the New Zealand Super 12 teams with their stars behind in their fitness programmes and knowledge of team systems.

On the flipside, they should be fresh and eager after almost two months off.

They will also be expected to maintain their own fitness levels during the break.

Laulala will have a shoulder operation and Somerville will have an elbow "tidied up". Flanker Johnny Leo'o has recently broken a bone in his foot.

Deans hopes Somerville will be ready for the Brumbies match but was more cautious on Laulala and Leo'o's chances, noting they would return for the second pre-season match against the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney on February 12 "at best".

Prop Dave Hewett, who is in Wales playing for the Llanelli Scarlets in the Celtic League, will return when pre-season training commences on January 10.

One of the biggest talking points will be whether Deans opts to play either Andrew Mehrtens or Daniel Carter at first five-eighth after the latter's impressive All Blacks form.

"It will not be difficult to give them both game time," said Deans.

"In terms of who gets picked will depend on fitness and form. That includes the whole squad."

He also said that there would be no decision made about the Crusaders captaincy until February.

Meanwhile, Deans recently spent a week in Europe visiting various clubs such as Todd Blackadder's Edinburgh outfit in Scotland, Stade Francais in Paris and Wasps (London), and also watched the All Blacks play Wales and France.

"It was quite insightful in the way each club prepared to play. Every club has a different emphasis ...

"There were a few things we will use."

- NZPA