Super Rugby
Crusaders call for reinforcements
ESPNscrum Staff
May 8, 2011
Sean Maitland is to return to New Zealand due to an injury © Getty Images
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The Crusaders have been forced to call for reinforcements in the wake of their victory over the Stormers in Cape Town.

The 20-14 triumph at Newlands came at a cost for Todd Blackadder's men, with fullback Israel Dagg (leg), wing Sean Maitland (foot), halfback Kahn Fotuali'i (knee) and centre Adam Whitelock (chest) all due to return home on the first available flight.

In their place, the management have called up Ryan Crotty, Steve Alfeld, Tom Taylor and Brent Ward as they prepare for their next assignment against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein next Sunday.

The franchise are already without Richie McCaw and Dan Carter as well as their fellow All Blacks Ben Franks, Brad Thorn, Andy Ellis and Sam Whitelock, but moved second in the New Zealand conference and third overall after their weekend heroics.

There was also bad news for the Highlanders, who will be without standout flanker Adam Thomson for next weekend's clash with the Hurricanes. The All Blacks hopeful picked up a rib injury in his side's loss to the Chiefs on Saturday.

"Tomo's not good," coach Jamie Joseph said. "He looks as though he's got a rib problem, but we don't know. He's gone to the hospital. He's pretty sore. He won't be ready for next week."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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