Rugby: Carter in doubt but Todd provides cheer

Matt Todd was one bright spot in the Crusaders' disappointing defeat against the Rebels. Photo / Getty

Dan Carter is unlikely to play for the Crusaders against the Highlanders in Dunedin next Saturday due to his leg injury, but supporters of the traditionally slow starting franchise can at least turn to the form of Matt Todd for comfort.

Flanker Todd, who captained the team to their disappointing 20-10 defeat to the Rebels in round one, has started where he left off - tackling everything. Those with a cruel disposition could say the same of Carter, who left the field with a leg problem in the grand final against the Waratahs in Sydney last August and followed suit more recently at AMI Stadium.

Carter's injury - described by him as a dead leg, but which seems more serious than that - has not been established, but more information will presumably be released tomorrow when the Crusaders name their team to play their southern rivals in what, if last year's round-robin match under the roof is any guide, could be an extremely close and fiery encounter.

Assistant coach Aaron Mauger did not sound positive at Carter's availability, saying: "He just had a bit of a dead feeling during the game. Hopefully we will get him running again towards the weekend. He did a slight jog today which is an encouraging sign for us. But it is unlikely he will play this weekend."

The 26-year-old Todd, meanwhile, is consistent in his excellence, making 23 tackles (and missing none) against the Rebels - the most by any player in round one. Second equal on the list are teammate Luke Romano and Waratahs flanker Michael Hooper with 18.

Coach Todd Blackadder would have been happy with Todd's efforts, but could look to tweak his loose forward line-up in order to accommodate Jordan Taufua, who made a big impact after replacing Luke Whitelock, alongside Richie McCaw.

McCaw, who played the full 80 minutes against the Rebels, attracted the boots of halfback Nic Stirzaker, who has been suspended for a week by the Sanzar judiciary, and also loose forward Scott Higginbotham, who was also cited for a stomp on the All Blacks skipper but escaped punishment.

For Blackadder, Carter's injury could make the selection of his backline slightly easier. With the return of Israel Dagg expected at fullback, Blackadder can move Colin Slade straight into the No10 jersey.

Slade, who had such a breakout year with the All Blacks in 2014, looked sharp against the Rebels, but unfortunately for the Crusaders not many of his teammates met the same standard, although lock Romano was energetic at the start of what will be a big season for him after his own leg problems last year.