The Crusaders are weighing up a return for All Blacks captain Kieran Read, following last weekend's loss to the Waratahs.
Read, 33, has not yet featured for the Crusaders in 2019, as the All Blacks' workloads are being managed ahead of this year's World Cup in Japan.
However, with the Crusaders approaching a key local derby away to the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday, coach Scott Robertson hinted that Read could feature at Westpac Stadium, having recently returned to training.
"If he gets a good training week in, he's definitely an option to play this week," Robertson told Stuff.
"It's definitely a week-by-week thing for him. It's just with managing his load. If he's good to go, he's back."
The Crusaders will likely also welcome back more All Blacks in the form of Scott Barrett and Richie Mo'unga, both absent for the defeat to the Waratahs on enforced leave.
SHARE ME