Rugby: Ross not required as Crusaders go overseas

Isaac Ross. Photo / Supplied

Isaac Ross, an All Black lock last year, has been left out of the Crusaders' 26-man Super 14 squad to tour Australia and South Africa.

Ross will not be on the plane when the Super 14 leaders fly to Perth today for their Friday night match against the Force. Also ruled out for the Perth match were wingers Jared Payne (concussion) and Kade Poki (hamstring).

Ross, 25, played eight tests for the All Blacks last year but was omitted for the end-of-year tour to Japan and Europe and told by the selectors to bulk up in the off-season.

He started four Super 14 matches for the Crusaders this year but missed selection for the 22 in the past three weeks and was sent back to club rugby as he slipped behind Brad Thorn, Chris Jack and youngster Sam Whitelock in the pecking order.

Ross admitted last week his dropping from the All Blacks affected his confidence.

"You can't go blaming it on anyone else. You can point fingers everywhere you like but at the end of the day you have to look at the man in the mirror," he said.

Ross felt some poor early season performances and injury niggles had hindered him this year.

"Those poor performances - you can't really do things like that in a squad like this because there are dudes knocking on your door and they are quality dudes as well."

The Crusaders, who lead the Bulls on points differential, have two tough matches against title hopefuls the Stormers and Bulls.

* The Chiefs have a double injury blow to deal with. Versatile back Mike Delany is out of rugby for up to six months after fracturing a shoulder joint socket against the Stormers last Friday. He will have surgery on Friday.

And compounding the Chiefs problems, speedy wing Lelia Masaga is sidelined for three to six weeks with a tear to the lateral meniscus of his right knee.

- NZPA