Sam Whitelock has been scratched from the Crusaders team that will play the Blues in Auckland in the Super Rugby.
The 73‑test lock strained a hamstring during the Crusaders' 29‑10 win over the Waratahs at AMI Stadium last weekend
As far as the Crusaders are concerned, this is far from a calamity.
No 8 and captain Kieran Read is the major breadwinner in the lineouts, and fellow locks Luke Romano and Scott Barrett have been in form when getting their minutes on the track. Jimmy Tupou is likely to be added to the bench for the match at Eden Park.
The immediate goal for Whitelock is to now get himself fit for the opening test for the All Blacks against Wales in Auckland on June 11th.
The Crusaders will take on the Blues at 7.35pm Saturday.
In other matches the Hurricanes will play the Highlanders at 7.35pm Friday while the Waratahs will go head to head with the Chiefs at 9.40pm Friday.
Source: stuff.co.nz
