Necessity means Chiefs forwards Brodie Retallick and Sam Cane will get little respite as Super Rugby makes its return, despite a heavy workload for the All Blacks.
Both have been included in the Chiefs’ starting line-up against the Crusaders for the clash between the top two teams in the New Zealand conference in Suva on Friday night.
The pair started all three Tests in New Zealand’s 3-0 sweep of Wales, with lock Retallick playing the full 80 minutes of the series opener.
Chiefs co-captain Cane finished the third Test, but the openside flanker’s game time in Dunedin was reduced by the 10 minutes he spent in the sinbin.
Chiefs forwards coach Neil Barnes says the coaching staff consulted with Retallick and Cane before confirming the match-day squad.
“They’re in good nick physically, but at the end of the day, if I had other options that I could use at this level, then I would,” he said.
“I still have a lot of trust in the guys behind them and we’ll just see how the game rolls along and play it by ear.”
The Chiefs’ lengthy injury list increased last week with lock Michael Allardice ruled out for the rest of the competition after damaging his right knee in the side’s 40-7 win over Wales.
They will have a high-powered bench to call on in the Fijian capital, with three All Blacks in hooker Nathan Harris, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and first five-eighth Aaron Cruden in the reserves.
“She’s pretty warm over here and the bench will have to be managed well,” Barnes said.
“We have a little bit of firepower to come on which is good.”
Cruden suffered a neck injury in the first Welsh Test and sat out the rest of the series, but has been give the all-clear to return to action.
A.O.Tear Rower
Guest
They dont need 45 player squads for a 15-18 game season considering that most players have at least 6 weeks break during that season. Top 14 teams can play up to about 35 games per season and only have around 45.
Old Bugger
Guest
And there you go - they played well and earned every damn dollar, they deserve.....!!
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Hansen had the perfect opportunity to rest Cane and Rettalick in the third test and he didn't. Players should not be rested for their Super side, if they need a rest then don't play them in so many test matches. Playing for the All Blacks is a higher honour, playing for your franchise is your job.
wardad
Guest
Too true Shag and co have done a great job of keeping payers refreshed and in as good a nick as commitments allow .One of the blessings of having only NZ based players and ABs coach input into domestic rugby players .
wardad
Guest
CUW
Guest
this is why have said in many posts that thes uper rugger rosters shud be bigger - say 40 players + 5 wtg. at the end of the day chiefs will hit that mark becoz of injuries . it must be a money thing for sure but , its not helping player welfare. a bigger squad as they have in france for eg., will allow player rotation more often and without losing quality. injuries will always happen but at least some respite can be given to the fitter ones , if u have a big group. at the same time one may need to look at the chiefs specifically - becoz they seem to have the injury issue every year for a larger number of players than the other super teams. this year 16 - that is a team + water boy !!!
Ryan
Roar Rookie
Not a major problem as they'll manage them throughout the season. Shag & co will take of them.
Old Bugger
Guest
Always a tough call trying to manage players between, domestic and test rugby. It doesn't matter what the coaches do, in the end - it will always be viewed, in a negative light. Having said that, I'm sure Shag and Co will provide some rest for both players which in their eyes, will be worse than turning out to play, for their club side. No player, looks forward to being benched, in a test.