Dagg & Franks to return for Crusaders

All Blacks duo Israel Dagg and Owen Franks are set to return to Super Rugby action this weekend when the Christchurch-based franchise host the Sunwolves at AMI Stadium.

Scott Robertson's side currently lie second in the New Zealand conference, three points behind the Hurricanes, opening up with five victories with just two defeats on the road to the Canes and 'Landers.

The pair have been sidelined for eight and seven months respectively, ever since All Blacks coach Steve Hansen declared they had to take a prolonged absence to attend to injuries: Franks required surgery on an Achilles tendon, and Dagg had to rehabilitate a serious knee problem.

"People need to understand the injury he (Franks) had – if you could imagine waking-up with a rock in your shoe, and walking with it every day like he was last year," Crusaders assistant forwards coach Jason Ryan said. "He played through a bit of pain and no-one probably would have known.

The enforced break has worked wonders for Franks, Ryan said the repaired left tendon should guarantee the 30-year-old more longevity in the game.

"He is definitely better than he was," Ryan noted. "Just running from A to B, he has got more pop in him and he is probably the strongest he has ever been."

Dagg returned to competitive action last weekend, playing 60 minutes for his University Club and has regularly attended training sessions with the Crusaders.

Loosehead prop Joe Moody will be out of action until next month after fracturing a finger playing for his club on April 7, Ryan remained optimistic that he will play some minutes prior to All Blacks' Test series against France in June.

"He is going to be [unavailable for] three to six weeks," Ryan stated. "We are just a little bit unsure at the moment. He is not going to need an operation."

Wyatt Crockett is still progressing through return-to-play protocols following a head knock suffered against the Lions on April 2. 

Fly-half Richie Mo'unga, trained with the squad on Tuesday but will not play for his club this weekend. Centre Jack Goodhue is expected to be sidelined for another few weeks as he nurses a hamstring problem.

(Credit: stuff.co.nz)