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Todd Blackadder - Source: Photosport
The Crusaders want to organise a game against another New Zealand franchise to maintain momentum during the three-week Super 15 competition break.
Players and coaches agree the gap will be "challenging" - for both the All Blacks required to go from Super 15 to Test rugby and non-All Blacks, who will still require match-play. The Crusaders will play the Highlanders in Christchurch on June 1, but then wait until June 29 for the Hurricanes.
Coach Todd Blackadder said yesterday he was trying to organise a game "for the middle week in the June Test window" to keep the non-All Blacks ticking over.
"We've got a toe in the water to some Japanese sides but it's not looking likely so hopefully we can get a game against another [New Zealand] franchise. I know at the franchise meetings, a lot of the other coaches were thinking on similar lines," he said.
The aim was to give the non-All Blacks game-time "and get them up to speed so we can best plan for when the All Blacks return," Blackadder said. "If [the All Blacks] pick up any injuries or niggles or if they're just really tired, we've had some [preparation] for the players who will be available for that next game."
The break came "at the critical period within the conference window," Blackadder said. "Those games can decide your future - whether you're one, two or three [in the conference] or whether you're in the wildcard entry.
"You've just got to be on the ball and manage it really well," he said.
This is the first year the international season has encroached on a Super rugby campaign. The competition will stop while the All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks play European rivals. The break is in stark contrast to the northern hemisphere where the English premiership, Celtic League and French Top 14 competitions continue during the Six Nations international series.
The Super 15 franchises did not have the same numbers to continue playing, while their test players were on international duty, Blackadder said. That would "penalise the successful teams".
The Crusaders had 12 players involved in last year's Rugby World Cup squad.
"You're going to have a new [All Blacks] coaching staff and they're going to want to stamp their mark on the team. They've got the three test series against Ireland, who are a very good side.
"It will not only be physically demanding, but [also] mentally. As an ex-All Black myself, I know it can sometimes take a couple of weeks to tune back into everyday life. It's going to be quite a challenge for our players."
All Blacks and Crusaders No8 Kieran Read said the new programme would be demanding and attention to conditioning would be required.
