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Cape Town - All Black centre Ryan Crotty is set to make his return to action when the Crusaders host the Southern Kings in a Super Rugby clash in Christchurch on Saturday.
A hand injury has prevented the 15-Test capped All Black to feature in this year’s competition, but according to the Stuff.co.nz website, he is expected to make an appearance against the Kings at AMI Stadium on Saturday.
With Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith aligned with France clubs Toulon and Pau, and Sonny Bill Williams pushing for a place in the New Zealand sevens squad for the Rio Olympics, the All Black midfield vacancies remain open to men such as Malakai Fekitoa, Charlie Ngatai, Rene Ranger and Crotty.
Crotty is eager to hit the ground running again.
"I actually did it (the injury) doing some housework, I was lifting some heavy stuff around the house," Crotty said. "That was one of the more frustrating things about it, that it wasn't out on the field."
An operation was required. The surgeon robbed his right index finger of one of the tendons that runs down to his wrist, attaching it to the damaged thumb.
Crotty will now wear a guard while playing, but says that is more of a precaution than anything.
"I caught up with the surgeon last week and he said the tendon's going to be as strong as it's ever going to be, even if it's not strapped."
Saturday’s clash is scheduled for 08:35 (SA time).
