INJURY-PLAGUED CRUSADERS CONSIDER DISPENSATION REQUEST FOR AFOA

Last weekend, John Afoa made history as Super Rugby's oldest ever player - but the 39-year-old won't appear in the playoffs.

Afoa's been deemed ineligible, as he hasn't played enough games this season for the Crusaders. 

On Saturday, he turned back the clock in their 42-18 win over the Warratahs.

"The wise old fox got around the field, didn't he?" said coach Robertson. "He knew what to do. 

"He's got some great banter... his humour's still there and he's just the true essence of footy."

The clash with the Hurricanes will be the last in red-and-black for the 38-test All Black.

To be eligible for next weekend's playoffs, Afoa needed to play in four round-robin games or a match in New Zealand before April 1. The only possible lifeline for the Crusaders would be a dispensation from SANZAAR.

It's understood they had hoped to meet the governing body's criteria due to safety concerns around elevating an academy or club level player straight into Super Rugby playoffs, but as of late Thursday, no application had been made.

"There's an obligation for us to put a team out that's safe and guys are ready," said Robertson.

Sixty-test All Black prop Craig Dowd believes that shouldn't be an issue.

"Scrummaging these days, everyone seems to focus on how it's a dangerous place to be, but most props have spent enough time in there, whether at club rugby or whatever level they're playing at," Dowd told Newshub. 

"It doesn't change - you're still marking against a big, burly, hairy, fat guy."

With All Blacks David Havili and Cullen Grace also ruled out for the remainder of the season, the Crusaders face a true test of depth to make it seven straight Super titles.

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2023-06-01T07:34:14Z dg43tfdfdgfd