Crusaders face tighthead crisis ahead of Blues qualifying final as Newell and Calder limp off

The Crusaders are facing a significant tighthead prop shortage ahead of their Super Rugby Pacific home qualifying final against the Blues in Christchurch, after both Fletcher Newell and Seb Calder left the field injured during the round 16 win over the Hurricanes. Head coach Rob Penney confirmed the club will not know the extent of either injury for at least 48 hours.

Newell is suspected to have a knee problem, while Calder — who came on in the second half — was forced off again in the 74th minute with a calf complaint. Penney was candid about the scale of the problem, saying losing two tightheads simultaneously would test any squad in world rugby.

“There’ll be plenty of searching going on — losing your two tightheads potentially leaves a big hole, any team would struggle to fill that gap,” Penney told media in Christchurch.

Experienced loosehead George Bower covered at tighthead for a spell against the Hurricanes and remains an option, while Gus Brown is another name in the frame. Penney also indicated the club would look beyond their current roster if necessary. “We do have some cattle in behind the scenes, and we’ll search around for some other ones as well, if we need to,” he said.

The Crusaders secured their home playoff berth with an impressive win over an understrength Hurricanes side, while the Blues — their next opponents — were beaten convincingly by the Chiefs in Hamilton, leaving Vern Cotter’s team to travel south as the lower seed.

The injury to Newell also has implications at international level. All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie is already without Tamaiti Williams, who is sidelined with a long-term back injury, making Newell’s fitness a matter of national concern as well as a club headache.

Penney reserved particular sympathy for Calder, who had been building momentum in the Crusaders’ front row before the setback. “Seb has been going so well for us — for him to get a little injury now, as for him, it’s just really unfortunate, because it was his time, really,” the head coach said.