All Blacks midfielder Braydon Ennor believes he's ready to answer the Crusaders' call - if needed - for the Super Rugby Aotearoa final.
Chasing their fifth title in as many years, the defending champions, sealed a home final against the Chiefs with victory over the Blues on Sunday.
But after losing international centre Jack Goodhue for the season and prop Joe Moody for five months, coach Scott Robertson could use some good news on the injury front and Ennor has provided it.
He made a successful return to club rugby over the weekend - his first outing since tearing knee ligaments in last year’s North v South match. Ennor was later named in the All Blacks Tri Nations squad, before undergoing season-ending ACL surgery and withdrawing.
If you're an All Blacks and Crusaders fan, this was a good sight - Ennor flicking a no-look pass to set up a try for his University side.
"That just went my way," he insists. "I knew it had to go out the back, because we had a massive overlap, so I gave it a flick and it came off."
The road to recovery has been long.
"It's been pretty hard to watch the last couple of weeks, but the boys have come back strong and I'm ready to come back in a couple of weeks," he says.
And that timing couldn't be better. With Goodhue gone, the Crusaders are a midfielder short for the Super Rugby Aotearoa Final in a fortnight, which is why it was no surprise to see Robertson carefully monitoring Ennor's return.
"I’m just relieved for him," says Robertson. "With the first couple of touches, he set up a try,
"He's a special athlete, so I'm really pleased for him."
While Ennor's already been training, he'll play another club game next weekend, before a decision is made on whether he can play in the final.
"I think I've got to check a few boxes with club first," he says. "Mentally, I'm there and if 'Razor' calls on me, I'll be ready."
Join us at 7pm Friday for live updates of the Hurricanes v Highlanders Super Rugby Aotearoa clash
