The Crusaders have some positive things left to work on as they continue their preparation for the 2025 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season that kicks off next Friday.
Crusaders’ new signing and former Wallabies flyhalf James O’Connor played his first game in a Crusaders’ jersey over the weekend and made an impression coming off the bench despite his team’s 35-19 loss to the Blues in their pre-season match.
O’Connor says there are works that need to be done, but he saw enough.
He says they had a couple of spilt opportunities, and they overplayed a bit in that match.
When talking about his first outing for the Crusaders, O’Connor says it felt good and it was quick.
He says he feels there are some really good things to work on this season.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders suffered injury setbacks following that loss to the Blues over the weekend.
Props Finlay Brewis and Seb Calder both suffered shoulder injuries in the opening 20 minutes of the match.
Other injuries in the Crusaders squad include Johnny McNicholl who is likely to be ruled out for up to 8 weeks due to hamstring, Rivez Reihana who will be out for potentially a month due to ankle injury, and lock Quinten Strange who will be out for a few weeks due to hamstring injury.
Coach Rob Penney can only hope for the best with his remaining squad.
The Crusaders will kick start their 2025 campaign against the Hurricanes in Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch at 6.05pm next Friday.
