Poki’s Crusade put on hold

The International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-19 World Championship-winning wing Kade Poki might have to wait just a tad longer before he makes his Super 14 debut for the Crusaders.

The talented 20-year-old Tasman wing, who saw his Air New Zealand Cup season last year cut short by an injury after just seven provincial matches for the Makos, is again in danger of having his career put on hold.

Literally weeks after joining the Crusaders squad for the first time, Poki is faced with the prospect of missing out on the start of the 13th crusade through a back injury he picked-up in training.

Poki is set undergo a scan on the back to determine the full extent of the problem.

“It could be an issue,” Crusaders coach Robbie Deans told RugbyHeaven.

“It is to rule out anything sinister basically. If there is nothing sinister he will just ease his way back into training.”

Deans, who will take over as Wallaby coach after the Super 14, is not having the ideal start to his last crusade – with veteran number eight Mose Tuiali’i also recovering from back surgery. The loose forward’s work load at Crusaders training is currently being “managed”.

Hooker Corey Flynn and utility forward Michael Paterson have both struggled with groin injuries and recently had surgery that will hopefully see them fit for the crucial season opener against trans-Tasman rivals the Brumbies in Christchurch on February 15.

Deans said the pre-season friendlies – against the Western Force and the Waratahs – next month are vital in the team’s preparation for the tournament.

Many of the players in the both the Australian teams have played a full season of the Australian Rugby Championship (ARC) under the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) that will be implemented in the Super 14 for the first time and will give the Aussies a possible edge.

Therefore the trips to Melbourne and Sydney could prove to be a valuable learning curve indeed.

“We have made the best guess about how it will manifest itself and have prepared with that in mind,” added Deans.

“I guess all will be revealed in Australia.”