New era dawns for Crusaders
Part II of Scott Robertson’s reign as Crusaders coach begins when he names his Super Rugby squad today.
Given everything the Crusaders achieved during Robertson’s debut season as head coach, losing just one game during the round-robin and repulsing the Lions for a memorable 25-17 victory in the final in Johannesburg on August 6, anyone critiquing the defending champions’ squad for 2018 shouldn’t brace for shock defections.
Because he will be in London to help Robbie Deans prepare the Barbarians to play the All Blacks at Twickenham on Sunday morning, Robertson won’t be in Christchurch for the unveiling of the squad but the fact he had locked in 90 per cent of his players by midSeptember it’s unlikely he had to do much late shopping prior to his departure.
Given 13 All Blacks form a vital plank of his squad, along with the yet-to-be capped Jack Goodhue, and that he also has secured other key contributors in Jordan Taufua and Richie Mo’unga, Robertson had several powerful bargaining chips to present when searching for recruits to fill the remaining vacancies in his squad.
Because NZ Rugby allow Super Rugby teams to spend around $4 million on players, much of the budget would be spent on the bigticket players. The maximum retainer for a Super Rugby player is capped at $195,000, the minimum is $75,000.
Robertson might not be able to wave a fat cheque when luring a young prospect to Christchurch, but he can tell them straight-up they will be training alongside some of the best players in the world, and in an organisation that knows how to win a title.
The five New Zealand coaches are given licence to contract up to 38 players, although that number could be inflated to allow for any long-term replacement player exemptions.
Last year Robertson included 38 players in his original squad, prior to drawing upon wider training group or, in the case of Whetu Douglas who provided cover for Kieran Read when he was recovering from wrist surgery, a long-term replacement player.
Props Owen Franks and Joe Moody are likely to still be rehabilitating the serious injuries they suffered while representing the All Blacks when the Crusaders play their first game against the Chiefs on February 24, potentially giving Robertson the chance to trigger the long-term replacement player option.
Another international, outside back Israel Dagg, should be fit after being spelled from the Rugby Championship and the northern tour to help correct a knee problem. Loose forward Jordan Taufua required an operation to repair the arm he broke playing for Tasman against Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup premiership final, but if his recovery proves swift he should be fit prior to the first-round game.
There is no chance of Ere Enari, who was to back-up halfbacks Mitchell Hunt and Bryn Hall, playing in 2018 after he broke a leg while representing Canterbury.
This year the Crusaders used 39 players, with Sione Fifita the only member of the official squad not to make an appearance. Vernon Fredericks was drafted in when the loose forward stocks began to thin and got eight minutes as a replacement against the Chiefs in Suva. Douglas, who has since linked with Italian club Treviso, proved of immense value in his six appearances while Read was recovering from wrist surgery at the start of the season.
Former Wallabies wing Digby Ioane, who made three starts prior to injury, will not return. Canterbury’s Braydon Ennor has already been signed as a replacement.
Veteran first five-eighth Mike Delany, 35, who played one test for the All Blacks in 2009 and represented Bay of Plenty this season, will provide cover for established first five-eighths Richie Mo’unga and Mitchell Hunt.