Crusaders say no to Nonu

Editor

Crusaders boss Todd Blackadder confirmed that he is not pursuing All Black Ma'a Nonu and is banking on Robbie Fruean returning.

Crusaders boss Todd Blackadder has confirmed that he is not pursuing All Black Ma'a Nonu and is banking on Robbie Fruean returning to action.

Nonu's future has been the topic of much speculation, with the centre not expected to remain in Dunedin after a poor first season with the Highlanders. The Blues and the Chiefs have both indicated that they are not interested in his services and the Crusaders have now added their name to that list.

“No, we won't be doing that,” Blackadder told Fairfax News of a move for Nonu.

Instead, Blackadder will be sticking with incumbents Ryan Crotty and Tom Taylor and hopefully a fit-again Robbie Fruean.

Fruean is currently sidelined after undergoing surgery on a heart valve. It is the second time that the 25-year-old has had heart surgery.

Despite this, the Crusaders are hopeful of signing him up one a new one-year deal.

“At the moment he is off contract but we are going to do everything we can to look after Robbie,” he explained.

“We want to get him back into the mix, there is no doubt about that.

“Everyone is going to do their best to support him and to do the right thing.”