Rugby: Crusaders eager for ball possession

Crusaders v Force
Christchurch, 5.30pm today

It seems the Crusaders are masters of one of rugby's most vital skills - and they want it to end.

After four rounds of the Super 14, the defending champions have a host of players at the top of the tackle count statistics - perhaps a perfect measure of their plight this season.

Not only have injuries been crippling their campaign, but a lack of possession has also counted heavily against them as they survey three consecutive losses heading into today's match against the Western Force in Christchurch.

No 8 Thomas Waldrom, better known for his ball-running, is the competition's leading tackler with 60. Second is loose forward comrade Kieran Read on 58.

Ben Franks is second on the list of props with 34 tackles and Wyatt Crockett fifth on 27.

Franks won't be able to add to his tally against the fifth-placed Force after becoming the latest addition the Crusaders' medical file.

While Crockett had faith in Franks' replacement, Bronson Murray, he could only shake his head at the seven-time champions' bad luck.

"It's a test of our depth and there's obviously a lot of guys who haven't played too much footy at this level.

"But guys like Bronson have showed in the Air NZ Cup that they're good players. Now they've had a bit of a chance to see what it's like and I'm sure over the next few weeks you're really going to see some good footy."

Since their first-round defeat of the Chiefs, the eighth-placed Crusaders have struggled to win and hold on to possession for long periods during losses to the ACT Brumbies, Hurricanes and Highlanders.

"It feels like we haven't got the ball a lot," said Crockett. "We're not getting the ball-carries that we normally would. Hopefully that picks up as we start to play a bit more footy.

"We've had a really positive week and we just want to get out there and maybe take a few more calculated risks."

While coach Todd Blackadder has made three changes in the pack, including flanker George Whitelock filling the massive boots of injured skipper Richie McCaw, it is the backline where he will be doing well to get combinations gelling.

Every position has been changed from last week's 6-0 loss to the Highlanders, including three new faces - halfback Kahn Fotuali'i, second five-eighths Ryan Crotty and fullback Leon MacDonald.

CRUSADERS:

Leon MacDonald
Adam Whitelock
Tim Bateman
Ryan Crotty
Colin Slade
Stephen Brett
Kahn Fotuali'i
Thomas Waldrom
George Whitelock
Kieran Read (c)
Isaac Ross
Brad Thorn
Bronson Murray
Jason Macdonald
Wyatt Crockett

Reserves: Dan Perrin, Owen Franks, Ross Filipo, Nasi Manu, Tyson Keats, Hamish Gard, Blair Cook

FORCE:

Drew Mitchell
Nick Cummins
Ryan Cross
James O'Connor
C Shepherd
Matt Giteau
Josh Valentine
Tamaiti Horua
David Pocock
Richard Stanford
Nathan Sharpe (c)
David Pusey
Ben Castle
Tai McIsaac
Pekahou Cowan

Reserves: Luke Holmes, AJ Whalley, Tom Hockings, Matthew Hodgson, Chris O'Young, Junior Pelesasa, Haig Sare.

- NZPA