• Australian half-back damaged knee ligaments at Harlequins • Crusaders hoping for first appearance in play-offs Crusaders’ bid for a first appearance in the Super League play-offs have been dealt a major blow with news that the half-back Michael Witt is almost certain to miss the rest of the season. The 26-year-old Australian, who has been a revelation in his first season in Super League, damaged knee ligaments in the defeat at Harlequins a fortnight ago and has been told he is unlikely to play again this year. Witt, signed from New Zealand rugby union side Otago in the close season, has kicked 35 goals and scored six tries in his 17 matches. The Wrexham club, whose 44-20 win over Bradford on Sunday took them to within four points of eighth-placed Hull KR, are also without Witt’s half-back partner Jarrod Sammut, who has a fractured cheekbone. The Crusaders coach, Brian Noble, said: “It is a blow. Michael has been one of the top half-backs in Super League this year so we are obviously disappointed to lose him. But I think we have the players to step up to the mark in his place.” Noble is likely to keep Rhys Hanbury and Peter Lupton in the half-backs for Sunday’s trip to Leeds. The Crusaders Super League Rugby league guardian.co.uk
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Michael Witt’s season-ending injury hits Crusaders’ Super League hopes
