Rugby: Thorn 'positive' about playing against Bulls

Crusaders lock Brad Thorn is one of the Crusaders' few injury concerns. Photo / Christchurch Star

SYDNEY - Crusaders rugby coach Todd Blackadder is confident All Black lock Brad Thorn will play in their Super 14 semifinal, but will give him until as late as possible to prove his fitness.

Blackadder said his team had recovered well from the long trip to their Johannesburg base ahead of Sunday's (1am NZT) semifinal against the table-topping Bulls in Pretoria.

He gave returning prop Ben Franks (foot surgery) a 100 per cent fitness rating after playing a full club match last weekend, and was cautiously optimistic about Thorn who missed the narrow win over the Blues with a hamstring strain.

"Brad is fairly positive but we won't really know until Thursday," the coach said last night.

"He's feeling really good, a lot better than last week which is encouraging."

Blackadder said he would probably bracket Thorn with Michael Paterson, who stood in for him in Auckland, when he names his lineup later this week.

Utility back Colin Slade (ankle) was also in contention for selection in an otherwise injury-free 24-man squad.

"We've got a fairly settled lineup, I don't think there will be too many surprises," Blackadder said.

The team were scheduled to have a light session overnight (NZT) after their long trip which was broken up by a night's stopover in Sydney on Sunday.

"Everyone turned up feeling pretty fresh this morning, quite surprisingly."

Despite completing most of their preparations in Johannesburg before moving to Pretoria later in the week, the Crusaders were well aware of semifinal fever at the match venue, one of the most imposing in world rugby.

Blackadder read with interest media reports that a 500-strong queue turned up to Loftus Versfeld to snap up tickets when they went on sale yesterday.

- NZPA