Crusaders fans Mahika with daddy Rajnesh Lingam.

FANS had predicted the Auckland-based Blues to win the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific title at the Fortress, but the Crusaders, who have won the Super Rugby title more than any other franchise, know how to win titles even away from home.

They sizzled at Eden Park and played like they were playing at home. They adapted to the slippery conditions and hammered the Blues to bring back lost glory. Blues fans suffered a heart break, seeing the side go down to the visitors.

This pain will remain in their hearts for years to come because they lost at home and their 15-match unbeaten run came to a halt. Apart from that, 12 players from the franchise had been penciled in for All Blacks selectiontwo more than the Crusaders.

The 21-7 win last Saturday against the Blues shows the depth the mighty Crusaders have when it comes to those cracking and testing moments in Super Rugby. The Crusaders are a champion side and they play their hearts out when in the final.

In 2017, they beat the Lions at Ellis Park 25-17 and brought home the trophy from the heart of South Africa. Ironically, that was the Crusaders first win since the glory days of Robbie Deans and it was current coach, Scott Robertson’s, first Super Rugby title.

My early days with the Crusaders

I’m an ardent Crusaders fan and I have been following the side since the three-peat from 1998-2000.

Those were the days of Chris Jack, Andrew Mehrtens, Todd Blackadder, Justin Marshall, Rico Gear, Tabai Matson, Caleb Ralph, current coach Scott Robertson, Norm Berryman, Corey Flynn, Scott Hamilton, Chris Hammett, Daryl Gibson, Norm Maxwell, Greg Feek, Brad Thorn, Marika Vunibaka, Vilimoni Delasau, Greg Somerville, Leon MacDonald, Ben Blair, and Aaron and Nathan Mauger.

Then which Super Rugby fan could ever forget the days of Zac Guildford, Ben Funnell, Codie Taylor, Robbie Fruen, Andy Ellis, Matt Todd, Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Israel Dagg, Colin Slade, Pete Samu, Michael Alaalatoa, Ryan Crotty, Seta Tamanivalu, Jordan Taufua, Jone Macalai, Andrew Makalio, Manasa Mataele and Sonny Bill Williams.

Sam Whitelock, George Bridge, Bryn Hall, Pablo Matera, Richie Mo’unga, Scott Barrett, George Bridge, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Mitchell Drummond, Whetu Douglas, Mitchell Dunshea, Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Tom Christie, Quinten Strange, Will Jordan, Brett Cameron and Irish Oliver Jager have had an outing with the champion franchise and have been part of the side from 2017. These players play their hearts out!

Fijians who have donned the Crusaders jumper

Marika Vunibaka, Vilimoni Delasau, Paula Bale, Waisake Sotutu, Jone Macilai, Manasa Mataele, Seta Tamanivalu, Nemani Nadolo, Ben Volavola, Filipe Rayasi, Patrick Osborne and Tabai Matson have donned the Crusaders jumper.

Flash back 2000 and Marika Vunibaka joined the Fiji 7s team from the Crusaders camp and he terrorised the All Blacks 7s in the Wellington 7s final at the Westpac Trust Stadium.

NZRU regretted releasing the flyer to join our team. Fiji, with the likes of Waisale Serevi, Vilimoni Delasau, Jope Tuikabe, Fero Lasagavibau, Taniela Qauqau, Setareki Tawake, Viliame Satala and the late Temesia Kaumaia stole the trophy from the Capital, hammering the hosts 24-14. The late Peni Veidreyaki and Master Epeli Lagiloa formed a deadly combination as coach and manager.

Levuka lad, George Bower, and Sevu Reece were part of the Crusaders outfit which triumphed at Eden Park. Robbie Deans’ last assignment

When current coach Scott Robertson took over, he had a massive challenge ahead of him. His predecessor Todd Blackadder had failed to win any Super Rugby title since the last win in 2008 by Robbie Deans who had left to coach the Wallabies.

The Crusaders last win came on May 31 at AMI Stadium in Christchurch when they defeated the Waratahs by 20-12. The Crusaders and Waratahs finished the round-robin first and second on the Super 14 points table respectively.

The Crusaders finished nine points clear of second place, and had secured a top of the table position prior to the last week of the round-robin. The Waratahs only secured second place, and a place in the finals in the last round of the competition.

The Hurricanes lost to the Blues in their final-match of the round robin, and the Waratahs defeat of the Queensland Reds allowed them to leap the Hurricanes into second place. The Sharks bonus point defeat of the Chiefs in Durban secured them third place on the table.

The Crusaders then hosted the Hurricanes in Christchurch, while the Waratahs hosted the Sharks in Sydney.

The Crusaders had defeated the Hurricanes 33-22, and the Waratahs defeated the Sharks 28-13. The Crusaders