Coach Todd Blackadder, delighted that his men carried out his game plan to the letter in the 28-9 victory at Ellis Park yesterday, said he expects his No8 and captain Read to return from concussion to play at Free State Stadium. It will be a timely return - Luke Whitelock injured his knee against the Lions and will be out for a week at least.
First-five Colin Slade was the other casualty - a head knock forcing him to leave the field.
Midfielder Ryan Crotty captained the team in Read's absence and played a starring role in his team's most convincing victory of the season. Halfback Andy Ellis, another try scorer, was also instrumental, but having IRB player of the year Read back at the helm will be a huge boost.
"He's got a couple of tests still to go with the doctor but he's feeling really good," Blackadder said. "The good news is I'm pretty certain to say he's going to be good to go next week."
The Crusaders strangled the Lions in the first half, the home side responding after the break with its rolling maul but by then the damage had been done. Their lineout, a traditional strength, quickly lost confidence following the constant attacks from Sam Whitelock and Dominic Bird.
"We went in with a strategy and probably for the very first time we've managed to execute a game plan," Blackadder said.
"The Cheetahs are a different side. They showed what they can do against the Chiefs.
"We probably went into this game lacking a wee bit of confidence. Next week we'll really be looking to open up.
"We can't underestimate the significance of tonight.
"Psychologically I think we've turned a corner and we need to go forward."
The Cheetahs, while ranked below the Crusaders on the table, have often posed challenges to Blackadder's men in Bloemfontein, but he said they had acknowledged that and the fact they were on the brink of something. With this victory they set a record by becoming the first New Zealand team to win in South Africa this year but Blackadder has never presided over an unbeaten tour of the republic.
"The guys brought that up in the changing room themselves," Blackadder said of the Cheetahs' hoodoo. "There's a massive challenge this week to turn around a lot of poor form."
- By Patrick McKendry of APNZ
