NEW BEGINNING

A NEW COACHING TEAM HAS ARRIVED AT THE CRUSADERS WITH THE INTENTION OF WINNING THE CLUB’S FIRST TITLE SINCE 2008. PATRICK MCKENDRY REPORTS.

The Crusaders are entering a new era – it’s Scott Robertson’s turn after the eight-year reign of Todd Blackadder – and it will be fascinating to see if the former Canterbury coach can do what Blackadder couldn’t and win a Super Rugby title as a coach.

Blackadder got close twice – his side were finalists during the year of the earthquakes in 2011 when they fell short against the Reds in Brisbane, and again in 2014 when they should have beaten the Waratahs in Sydney but for Craig Joubert’s fateful blast on his whistle – a penalty [for which he later apologised] against Richie McCaw that Bernard Foley gleefully kicked for the victory.

There was no fairytale last season for Blackadder, his side were knocked out at the quarterfinal by the Lions in Johannesburg. He was left to rue the inconsistencies that ruined their chances of a home run through the playoffs, something the Crusaders were often guilty of under his watch. Robertson’s Canterbury teams, like those of his predecessors, Tabai Matson and Rob Penney, played with structure and patience, so expect more of the same from the Crusaders this season.

There will be a hint of foundation building about them in 2017. Apart from a new coaching team, which will take time to bed in, there will be no Andy Ellis or Nemani Nadolo; the latter was the Crusaders’ best attacking weapon for the past three seasons. Do they have what it takes to win their first title since 2008? Probably not, given the inexperience of their coaching team and some members of their squad, but they should make the playoffs.

Robertson has been reasonably busy in terms of recruitment, and some of his additions will bolster the Crusaders significantly.