A slipped disc in his back failed to halt Nathan Sharpe’s Super Rugby farewell plans, but the Crusaders are desperate to play the role of party poopers in Saturday night’s clash in Christchurch.
Sharpe was left bed-ridden last week after his back locked up while picking up his kit bag just hours before the team’s loss to the Blues.
The 34-year-old had already announced he would retire at season’s end, and was thought to be in serious doubt for his Super farewell match against the Crusaders.
But Sharpe has recovered well and will line up for a competition-record 162nd and final appearance.
The 14th-placed Force (3-12) have endured the season from hell, and would love nothing more than to send Sharpe off on a winning note.
But that will be no easy task against a star-studded Crusaders outfit still fighting to secure a finals berth.
The Crusaders (56 points) sit fourth on the table, but could be overtaken by the Bulls (54), Sharks (54), Reds (53) and Hurricanes (53) should they suffer a shock loss to the Force.
If the Crusaders win, the seven-time champions would secure a home quarter-final.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said his side were on full alert for an emotionally-charged Force outfit eager to celebrate Sharpe’s final game.
“He’s a big ball-carrier and, with it being his last game, I expect there will be a few emotions,” Blackadder said.
“They’ve got nothing to lose, which makes them even more dangerous.”
And after losing to the lowly Melbourne Rebels two months ago, the Crusaders are taking nothing for granted.
“In a roundabout way, we’ve alluded to the fact that these are the games where we’ve slipped up,” Blackadder said.
“We’ve got too much to play for to slip up now.”
Sharpe, who takes over the captaincy from the injured David Pocock, made it through Thursday’s training session and said his back should be right to go on Saturday.
“I’ve been focusing more on getting my injury right this week and so I haven’t thought too much about it being my last game,” Sharpe said.
“Friday will be my last training session and then into my final game with the Force on Saturday. It’s something that’s exciting but bittersweet at the same time.”
Force: Alfie Mafi, Nick Cummins, Patrick Dellit, Rory Sidey, Napolioni Nalaga, Ben Seymour, Brett Sheehan, Lachlan McCaffrey, Angus Cottrell, Richard Brown, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Toby Lynn, Salesi Manu, Nathan Charles, Tetera Faulkner. Res: Ben Whittaker, Ruan Smith, Pek Cowan, Ollie Atkins, Josh Holmes, Kyle Godwin, Will Tupou.
Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland, Adam Whitelock, Ryan Crotty, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Richie McCaw (capt), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Tom Donnelly, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks. Res: Quentin MacDonald, Wyatt Crockett, Samuel Whitelock, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Tom Taylor, Robbie Fruean.
