KEY POINTS:
Crusaders coach Robbie Deans will test the depth of his bench by fielding rookie Hamish Gard at first five-eighth against the Lions in a Super 14 rugby match in Christchurch on Saturday.
Gard, 22, has made just two Super rugby appearances off the bench at second five-eighth this season, against the Bulls and Waratahs.
But Deans' hand has been forced by injuries to All Black pivot Daniel Carter and back-up Stephen Brett.
No decision has yet been made on Brett's return to duty, although he has been involved in some training.
Brett is nursing an injured AC joint sustained in the match against the Cheetahs on March 15.
Gard had done more recent training with the squad than Brett, Deans said.
"If Stephen does get himself into a position to be considered it will be off the bench," Deans said yesterday.
"Hamish has been working with us for the last month, whereas Stephen is coming in cold," he told the Christchurch Press newspaper.
The Crusaders' injury list also included fullback Leon MacDonald and lock Brad Thorn, although neither was considered serious.
MacDonald has a small muscle tear in his thigh while Thorn was being dogged by a nagging calf injury.
Deans also ruled out a start for Ross Filipo, who had pre-season neck surgery, although the lock played half a game for his Wellington club, Petone, on the weekend.
Meanwhile Carter, who injured an ankle in the 20-13 win over the Hurricanes and could be out for up to six weeks, was determined to get back on the field before the Super 14 ended.
"Hopefully, if everything goes well with the rehab, I will be back for a few games before the end of the campaign," Carter said.
" It's too soon to say exactly when I will be able to play again, but I'll be doing everything that I can to get back into the Crusaders jersey as soon as I can."
The Crusaders, who are coming off a bye, have compiled an unbeaten record of seven wins from as many matches and top the tournament standings on 33 points, six more than the second-placed Sharks, who are also unbeaten.
Six matches remain in the preliminary phase of the competition, with the semifinals scheduled for the weekend of May 23-25.
- NZPA
