The Crusaders are sweating on the fitness of All Blacks pair Scott Barrett and Ryan Crotty as they look ahead to next weekend's Super Rugby final against the Jaguares.
Lock Barrett didn't play the entire second half thanks to a finger injury, while Crotty was substituted with a hand injury in the 50th minute during the Crusaders' narrow 30-26 semi-final win over the Hurricanes at OrangeTheory Stadium in Christchurch.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson confirmed both players would be sent for X-rays to determine if there are any breaks in their hand.
Robertson is hoping both players will be fit, as the Crusaders face a Jaguares loaded with test rugby experience. In the Jaguares' matchday 23 that destroyed the Brumbies 39-7 on Saturday, there were 732 test caps.
"They're important players for us. One-hundred odd games for [Crotty] and Scooter [Barrett] is one of the best locks in the world. We'll see," Robertson said.
There were also concerns during the game over prop Joe Moody and first-five Richie Mo' unga, who both suffered knocks, but Robertson was confident the duo will be fit for the final.
Moody left the match early in the second half with a rib injury, while Mo'unga played with a shoulder injury after being clobbered by Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles early in the match.
Asked whether they should have reviewed Coles' hit on Mo'unga, Robertson said "100 percent".
Regardless if Barrett and Crotty play, Robertson is looking forward to the challenge the Jaguares pose.
"They play with passion and emotion, and it's going to be a hell of a match," he said.
"They are tough, and they are brutal, when they toured we got a good feeling of how good they are at the breakdown, their physicality, they've got enough test players in their team to understand how to play at the highest level and in pressure moments.
"It's going to be a hell of a week."
The Crusaders beat the Jaguares in their two previous meetings, back in 2016 and 2018.
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