Crusaders’ playoffs preparation couldn’t get any worse as Whitelock ruled out

The Crusaders’ preparations for tomorrow’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua could not get any worse as veteran lock Sam Whitelock could not recover in time from aggravating an Achilles injury in last week’s 27-26 narrow loss to the Hurricanes.

Assistant coach James Marshall says he is hopeful that it is not that serious but he was not able to recover in time for this week and he is also not looking good for next week.

Marshall says fingers crossed we’ll see him at some point before the season ends.

Whitelock earlier this month had signed a contract with French club Pau for after this year’s Rugby World Cup.

The Crusaders were beaten by the Fijian Drua earlier this season – a defeat that will echo throughout history as simply one of the greatest upsets ever in the competition.

But the Drua will need to repeat history and do it away from home this time if they are to progress to the final four.

The Fijian Drua will take on the Crusaders at 7.05pm tomorrow.

In other quarter finals matches, the Blues will host the Waratahs at 7.35pm tonight, the Chiefs will take on the Reds at 4.35pm tomorrow and the Brumbies will play the Hurricanes at 9.35pm tomorrow.