Filipo's Crusade may be cut short

All Black lock Ross Filipo may have to undergo surgery and will definitely miss the Super 14 opener, when the Crusaders face the Brumbies in Christchurch on Friday, February 15.

All Black lock Ross Filipo may have to undergo surgery and will definitely miss the Super 14 opener, when the Crusaders face the Brumbies in Christchurch on Friday, February 15.

Filipo will visit the surgeon for a second time on Monday to assess whether the neck injury he is carrying requires surgery.

Should that prove to be the case, it is expected that Filipo would be sidelined for anywhere up to six weeks.

Filipo was troubled by the injury prior to the Crusaders' first pre-season fixture, against the Hurricanes last month, and was forced to withdraw on the morning of that match.

He was subsequently forced to miss the recently-completed two-match tour of Australia.

Although Filipo is the only player whose unavailability for Friday's tournament opener is confirmed, scrumhalf Andrew Ellis (ankle) and flank Reuben Thorne (calf) remain in doubt.

Neither appeared during the two games in Australia and a decision on their availability is not scheduled until closer to the encounter with the Brumbies.

Ellis injured his ankle during last month's 55-33 win over the Hurricanes at Motueka.

While he has made a rapid recovery, after it was initially feared that he could be sidelined for up to six weeks, Ellis has still to resume full training with the side.

Thorne has been dogged by a calf worry throughout the pre-season.

Even though he has made good progress through his rehabilitation, the Crusaders brainstrust is understandably loathe risking him too early.

On the plus side, fullback Leon MacDonald looks likely to be available after banging his knee against the Waratahs last week.

That game left a number of players carrying slight niggles in its aftermath, although the Crusaders medical team reported Sunday that these had all settled after a weekend of rest.

The Crusaders matchday squad for the tournament opener will be named on Wednesday.

The Brumbies, who are chasing their first win in Christchurch since 2000, have based themselves in Nelson in the build up after losing a pre-season tie against the Hurricanes in Levin last Friday.