Rugby: Ross overlooked for Hurricanes clash

All Black and Crusaders lock Isaac Ross. Photo / Getty Images

All Blacks lock Isaac Ross and 2009 Crusaders player of the year, No 8 Thomas Waldrom, were among the casualties when coach Todd Blackadder named his Super 14 rugby team to play the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday night.

Apart from hooker Corey Flynn, the Crusaders had a fully fit squad to choose from and Blackadder plumped for rookie Sam Whitelock to lock the scrum with All Black Brad Thorn, with former All Black Chris Jack included on the reserves bench ahead of Ross.

Blackadder today admitted some hard calls had to be made and form was a criteria.

"Brad and Sam have been going well and unfortunately Isaac misses out this week. Last year he played every game for us and he played his way into the All Blacks," Blackadder said.

"I think this year he has been struggling for a little bit of form. It's more little things than big things and we've got to try and work through those with him and help him get back on track and hungry again."

The Crusaders have gone for an All Blacks loose forward trio of Kieran Read at No 8, and captain Richie McCaw and George Whitelock on the flanks, with Waldrom on the bench.

"Thomas (Waldrom) was our Crusader of the year last season. We believe he is a starting player and have a lot of faith in him, but we felt that when Reado (Read) got his opportunity through injury he took it and we're really happy with our loose forward trio."

Blackadder said it had been hard to leave out openside flanker Jonathan Poff and there had been hard decisions at halfback and fullback where Andy Ellis, back from a head knock, and Colin Slade had ousted Kahn Fotuali'i and Jared Payne, respectively.

"These are tough calls and there's nothing in it. A lot of it is gut feeling only, but the guys put the team first and understand.

"It's not just about the starting 15, but it's about the 22 and about performance. We pick teams to go out and win and if you don't perform then you open the door to someone else in this team and they will take it."

After coming off the bye last week, Blackadder said his team still looked in holiday mode at training on Monday.

"That was shaken out of them by the end of Monday and today the boys came really determined and we probably had our best training all year."

Blackadder said the Hurricanes were a dangerous team and more desperate than ever for a win after having four successive losses.

The Hurricanes upset the Crusaders in Christchurch last year, their first win in eight contests and only their fourth in 18 matches between the teams in Super history.

Hurricanes
Cory Jane, Tamati Ellison, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Willie Ripia, Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo, Karl Lowe, Victor Vito, Michael Paterson, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore (captain), John Schwalger.

Reserves: Dane Coles, Anthony Perenise, Bryn Evans, Scott Waldrom, Tyson keats, Aaron Cruden, Jason Kawau.

Crusaders
Colin Slade, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Zac Guildford, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read, George Whitelock, Richie McCaw (captain), Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Ti'i Paulo, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Daniel Perrin, Ben Franks, Chris Jack, Thomas Waldrom, Kahn Fotuali'i, Adam Whitelock, Jared Payne.

- NZPA