All Blacks bruiser warns ‘something special’ is coming after overcoming injury woes
Crusaders and All Blacks back-row Ethan Blackadder.
After suffering a string of injuries in recent years, Crusaders back-row Ethan Blackadder is back in action and enjoying helping the Christchurch-based outfit continue their revival in Super Rugby Pacific.
The tournament’s defending champions have struggled in 2024 and are currently occupying 10th position in the standings with just 12 points amassed from their nine matches played, of which only two of those finished with them on the winning side.
Blackadder’s run of injuries has seen him suffering shoulder, calf and thigh issues since 2022 but despite all those setbacks, he has performed consistently well for the Crusaders and has already made 10 Test appearances for the All Blacks.
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In fact, he is so highly regarded that he was called up to the All Blacks‘ World Cup squad last year as an injury replacement for wing Emoni Narawa, despite making just a couple of NPC appearances for Tasman.
Blackadder played only in the pool match against Uruguay at the global showpiece and since then shoulder and thigh injuries meant he spent most of his time kicking his heels on the sidelines.
However, he made his return to action against the Waratahs in Round Eight of Super Rugby Pacific and also featured in the Crusaders‘ next two matches, against the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels.
And the 29-year-old is delighted that he is able to contribute to the men from Christchurch’s cause on a consistent basis.
“It’s great to be back,” Blackadder told Newshub. “I’ve strung three games together which has been hard the last couple of years, so just loving playing footy with my mates.
“Something special is going to happen, I feel.”
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While he admitted that all his injury setbacks have tested his resolve, Blackadder is finally reaping the rewards of a patient approach to his recovery process.
“It definitely is frustrating,” he said. “Especially when you get five or six muscle strains in different areas. You start to question what’s gone on.
“But you just go back to the process every time and that’s your rehab and strength training. It’s frustrating but rewarding.
“You know the start point and the end points and the end point is always playing rugby. So that makes you pretty hungry to get it right.”
The Crusaders made a statement when the clinched an emphatic 39-0 victory over the Rebels in Christchurch last week and will be hoping to build on that result when they host the Reds this weekend.
With just five matches of the regular season remaining, the Crusaders are still in the hunt for the play-offs as they are just three points adrift of eighth place on the table.
Belief is back in Crusaders’ ranks
And Blackadder feels the belief that they can defend their Super Rugby Pacific title is returning to the Crusaders’ ranks.
“We’ve got heaps of confidence from last week,” he said. “So if we can carry that on and keep evolving and getting better then for sure [we can win the competition].
“It’s just a week at a time from now. We’re not going to worry about the top eight until that time comes. We’re just got to worry about today, tomorrow and then ultimately Saturday.”