Reuben Thorne to miss at least four weeks of Super 12
by Huw Turner
March 20, 2001

The Crusaders and All Black blindside flanker Reuben Thorne is set to miss at least four weeks of action after suffering an injury in the third round victory over the Chiefs.

The 26 year old Thorne, capped 11 times since his 1999 debut against the Springboks, has been diagnosed with a mild disc prolapse in his neck.

The injury news comes at a particularly bad time for the Crusaders as they prepare for Friday evening's fifth round tussle with the Queensland Reds in Christchurch. Against the Chiefs the Crusaders suggested, after a disappointing start to the season, that they might be returning to the sort of form that has won them three consecutive titles.Thorne's excellent form was one of the major reasons for renewed optimism amongst Crusaders' fans.

Looking on the bright side, however, coach Robbie Deans has revealed that had Thorne suffered a total prolapse of the disk he would have been out for the entire campaign.

Thorne's absence has prompted the Crusaders to ask the New Zealand Rugby Football Union for approval to call up New Zealand Colts flanker Richard McCaw as a replacement.He is a specialist openside flanker which suggests that Deans will look at Brad Thorn, Dallas Seymour, Sam Broomhall, Scott Robertson or even skipper Todd Blackadder as cover in Thorne's absence.

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