Crusaders aim to end World Cup drought
World Cup years haven’t been kind to the Crusaders, not since Jenny Shipley was New Zealand’s prime minister, and Ricky Martin was belting out his chart-topping single, Livin’ La Vida Loca.
It’s 20 years since the red-andblacks were crowned Super Rugby champions the same year the global tournament was held, and don’t think head coach Scott Robertson is oblivious to it.
‘‘It’s something that I look forward to, when these challenges come up,’’ Robertson said. ‘‘Take the learnings from why they haven’t been successful, and what do we need to do to hold two trophies up?’’
Robertson, now in his third season as head coach of the Christchurch-based franchise, was in his fourth season as a Crusaders loose forward in 1999, when they nipped down to Dunedin and ripped the hearts out of the Highlanders, courtesy of a late Afato So’oalo try in the final.
The 24-19 triumph at Carisbrook marked their second title. They’ve since won it seven more times, including the past two years – just not in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015.
Four years ago, still armed with Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, they missed the playoffs entirely. They were runners-up in 2003 and 2011 – the year they spent a ridiculous amount of time travelling after the February Christchurch earthquake wrecked Lancaster Park – while they were losing semifinalists in 2007.
Robertson, and assistant coaches Brad Mooar, Jason Ryan and Ronan O’Gara, will have to navigate more landmines than the other Kiwi franchises if they’re to snap a 20-year drought.
After all, on top of the mandatory two games All Blacks must rest during the season, New Zealand Rugby has told the Crusaders they sit out captain Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read for the first four weeks, and Codie Taylor for the first fortnight.
Unsurprisingly, Robertson has bit his tongue and opted to plough on with his available troops.
Cast your eyes across the roster and it’s immediately evident they are again loaded with quality players, and blessed with ample depth to overcome the extended breaks for the aforementioned trio, and regular All Blacks rest.
Including the uncapped pair of Bryn Hall and Jordan Taufua, they boast a whopping 18 players who have spent time with the All Blacks.
Flanker Matt Todd will skipper the side until Whitelock returns in time to play the Highlanders in Dunedin on March 16, and there is no shortage of experienced veterans for him to lean on if need be.
Robertson only unveiled five ‘new’ players in this year’s squad. Loose forward Whetukamokamo Douglas featured in 2017, when he provided injury cover for Read and quickly became a fan favourite, before taking up a contract in Italy.
All in all, the Crusaders can practically field the same first-choice XV as 2018, with Seta Tamanivalu the notable omission.
There is no doubt Tamanivalu’s departure for France will be felt, given the luxury the blockbusting wing provided Robertson due to his ability to seamlessly slot into the midfield when required.
Nephew Manasa Mataele, who will start on the right wing in the Crusaders’ season-opener against the Blues, is a more than able replacement on the flank, but doesn’t have the same versatility.
Losing Tamanivalu was partially offset by the signing of rookie Leicester Faingaanuku, a powerful outside back out of Tasman who is worth keeping an eye on when given a chance.
Fellow Tasman player Will Jordan, a former Christchurch Boys’ High School standout, is another with a bright future. Having missed his entire rookie season with concussion last year, the 20-year-old has added a few kilograms to his 1.88m frame, and has been tipped to light up the competition this year.
The Crusaders face a difficult first half of the season, given six of their first nine matches are New Zealand derbies. Their bye weeks are round 10 and round 18, the final week of the regular season.
10 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
Age: 23. Position: First five/fullback.
Few in this competition can change a game like this kid. Oozes X-factor, fabulous on his feet, a creative genius and kicks goals to boot. So much of what the Chiefs do well comes from getting quality ball into this guy’s hands.
Capable of impacting the game from either 10 or 15, SuperMac is the brilliance that complements the resilience of a certain world-class lock who is their driving force up front. Still getting better too.
9 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)
Age: 25. Position: Loose forward. The Canes aren’t exactly feared for the power of their pack. But this maturing openside flanker, quite capable of slotting in at No 8, is the exception to that rule. Incredible leg drive makes him a go-forward machine and has the pace and staying power to crop up at the right places when the razzle-dazzle unfolds.
Pushing hard to be the All Blacks 7 at World Cup time, will be looking to kick on from an outstanding end to 2018.
8 Malcolm Marx (Lions)
Age: 24. Position: Hooker. Arguably the best hooker in the game, Marx is the heartbeat of the Lions. When he’s on song they hum – and three straight grand final appearances attest to the fact this multi-faceted rake has been getting the job done for South Africa’s premier franchise
He’s tough and tenacious and takes care of his core roles expertly. But it’s this fellow’s breadth of contribution that sets him apart. He’s a hooker and loose forward combined, and the Lions forwards are clearly inspired by his presence.
7 David Pocock (Brumbies)
Age: 30. Position: Loose forward. The Australian game might have its issues, but this outstanding loose forward is not one of them. Not only a fine person off the field with his altruistic endeavours, but a worldclass operator on it. The Brumbies need his steely, chiselled presence at its best to have any shot at a conference title.
There might be no-one better over the ball, and at the end of the driving maul he’s nigh on unstoppable.
Only the physical toll exacted on this fearless competitor appears able to dull his impact.
6 Rieko Ioane (Blues)
Age: 21. Position: Wing.
The best finisher in the game (22 tries in 24 tests), you have to figure if the Blues are to turn things around the younger of the rampaging Ioane brothers will have to feature prominently.
Indicated he intends to stay put on the wing this year (after periodic midfield roles in 2018), and that has to be a good thing for his struggling franchise. Big, strong, quick and with some silky smooth touches, the prospect of this fellow running off Sonny Bill Williams and Ma’a Nonu is enticing to say the least.
5 Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
Age: 24. Position: First fiveeighth.
The back-to-back champions have a lot to thank this fast maturing playmaker for in their rise back to the top. Sure, he’s got quality all around him, but there can be no doubting his influence in this Crusaders resurgence under Scott Robertson.
Mo’unga gets his big pack into the right parts of the field, and unleashes that backline when opportunity calls. And there might be no-one better at the chip and chase.
Deceptive speed and quality finishing make him an outstanding 10 breathing right down the neck of You Know Who.
4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)
Age: 27. Position: Lock. Probably the best forward in the game, and a mighty force for the Chiefs.
Shaded by his fellow All Blacks lock purely on leadership, but no one inspires more with their sheer power complemented by massive lashings of skill.
Just watch Retallick for a full game and you will come away awed. For such a big chassis he covers so much territory, and for such a strong man he can unleash so much subtlety. As good as it gets and the most important Chief.
3 Ben Smith (Highlanders)
Age: 32. Position: Fullback/wing In many ways the backline equivalent of Retallick for the Highlanders. He inspires his entire team with his mixture of skills, workrate and wonderful instinct. No-one reads the game better than this Dunedin gem, always makes good decisions and can still create and finish with the best.
Has thrived as a leader over recent seasons and now quite simply the life and soul of the gritty, over-achieving southern franchise. With a new 10 in the saddle, this guy is going to be even more important for the Landers in 2019 as he looks to sign off in style.
2 Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)
Age: 30. Position: Lock.
Not quite the indomitable force of Retallick around the field, but arguably more important for his franchise as he has emerged as a leader of the highest quality. No fluke that when this rugged, nononsense second-rower stepped into the captaincy in 2017 nothing but good things (and titles) have followed.
May face his biggest challenge this year as they shoot for the hattrick with the large shadow of World Cup hanging over them. But with Slammin’ Sam calling the shots and owning his position, they will be a fair shot to secure what may be the first of two monumental threepeats for him in 2019.
1 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes)
Age: 27. Position: First fiveeighth.
No 10s peppers this top 50 for the simple reason that, as the tactical navigators, they wield such a massive influence. But none greater than this ridiculously talented playmaker from the ’Naki who, at his best, is the most exhilarating performer in the game.
Whether his Hurricanes can get him the quality ball he needs remains to be seen, but when he’s flowing this bloke is as good as it gets. His speed is freakish for his position, and a sense for the opening that complements it beautifully. Outstanding on the crosskick too and a pretty decent defender when called upon. Misses the odd goalkick under pressure, but still one of the few in the game capable of winning matches on his own. As he goes, so too will the Canes.