Kieran Read’s injury has given him a 50-50 chance to play the Bulls in Saturday’s knockout home quarterfinal.
Coach Todd Blackadder is determined to resist starting him if he is injured and is tentatively planning to be without him for the weekend’s match at AMI stadium in Christchurch.
Read, who did not feature in his side’s 38-24 win over the Western Force because of his tender ribs, has put in some of his best performances against the South African side in recent years and his omission could damage the Crusaders chances of advancing to the semifinals.
But Blackadder is adamant he will not compromise his team by starting an unfit player.
"I'm going to wait with Kieran but in the back of my mind I'm preparing to go without him," Blackadder says.
"I think it is far easier to do that if his ribs aren't right. We had a medical clinic [yesterday] and he is still very much 50-50."
Read took no part in training last week and if his situation remains then Blackadder is expected to continue with Richie McCaw at No. 8, and keep Matt Todd at openside flanker.
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