Gatland says Chiefs have to earn respect
Last week it was about dishing out payback to the Blues, this week Chiefs coach Warren Gatland wants his team to serve up respect to the Crusaders.
The two sides meet in a roundtwo blockbuster in Hamilton tonight, each coming off openingweek victories and with the chance to take an early advantage in the New Zealand conference.
As far as rivalries go in Super Rugby, this is the one that has evolved into the most competitive and anticipated, ever since the Chiefs came to the party in narrow home semifinal wins on the way to their back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.
Before that, the Crusaders had a 13-4 record against them. Since, it’s been hard-edged and niggly, brutal but breathtaking, and 10-8 in favour of the Chiefs, who now boast the best winning record (40 per cent) of any team in the competition against the Christchurch-based side.
But, ahead of his first experience of this meaty matchup, Gatland was on the charm offensive, as he said his players need to appreciate how successful the Crusaders have been, winning the past three titles, and 10 overall.
‘‘Yeah, there’s passion, but it’s also making sure that we recognise what the Crusaders have achieved,’’ Gatland said.
‘‘They’ve been a great outfit, and it’s about respect. Let’s respect them as a group of players and as an organisation.
‘‘And for us, we’ve got to go out there and earn that respect. They’ve definitely earned it. We’ve got to go out there and prove ourselves against what’s undoubtedly been the best team in this competition for the last three years. They’ve set the benchmark.’’
Captain Sam Cane was very much on the same page, noting there weren’t many weak points in the champions’ armoury.
‘‘They have a lot of variation in their attack and they’re pretty
Chief coach Warren Gatland, left, on the champion Crusaders
relentless on defence,’’ he said. ‘‘So for us it’s about executing our gameplan as best we can, not having moments where we slip up, because they’re very good at exposing those.’’
The Chiefs hadn’t beaten the Crusaders during their title threepeat until last year’s stunning 40-27 win in Suva, where they came from 20-0 down after as many minutes to keep their season alive.
This time, it’s back at their Hamilton headquarters, where just one of the last 10 meetings between the sides has been, after the Chiefs also hosted in Fiji in 2016 and 2017.
‘‘It feels like a long time since we’ve had them here at Waikato, it seems like we are always playing them in Fiji,’’ Cane said. ‘‘So really excited about having them back here.’’
In a Crusaders side this year minus a massive amount of experience up front with the likes of Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock, Matt Todd and Kieran Read departed, the Chiefs could eye an opening.
However, after what Cane termed ‘‘a few small funny issues with the scrum’’ last weekend, they now also have to do without injured All Blacks props Nepo Laulala and Angus Ta’avao and will need to have improved for a pack battle which looms as a big factor, especially with no Richie Mo’unga (groin and knee) to steer things from No 10 for the Crusaders.
‘‘Something they’ve been awesome at is having a strong set piece,’’ Cane said of the Crusaders. ‘‘So if we’re to go good, we’ll have to nail our own ball and disrupt as much of theirs as we can. We know their backs are electric.’’
The Crusaders made an early statement with their 43-25 win over the Waratahs in Nelson, while the Chiefs put on a superb second half to beat the Blues 37-29 in Auckland, and Cane noted this clash will give his side a good early measure of where they’re at.
‘‘We’ve got a quiet confidence in this team, and we’ve got a really strong squad,’’ he said.
‘‘And we know how important winning the New Zealand conference is in terms of winning the overall title. We won’t look too far ahead but every game counts, and the derbies are the most important.
‘‘It will be an epic battle.’’
At a glance
‘‘They’ve been a great outfit, and it’s about respect.’’
What: Super Rugby, round two
Who: Chiefs v Crusaders
Where and when: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton; tonight 7.05pm
Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Sean Wainui, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Solomon Alaimalo, Aaron Cruden, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Sam Cane (c), Mitchell Karpik, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Brown, Tyler Ardron, Atu Moli, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ross Geldenhuys, Ollie Norris, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Weber, Kaleb Trask, Alex Nankivell.
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, David Havili, Mitchell Drummond, Whetukamkamo Douglas, Tom Christie, Tom Sanders, Mitchell Dunshea, Scott Barrett (c), Oliver Jager, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Andrew Makalio, George Bower, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Cullen Grace, Bryn Hall, Brett Cameron, Leicester Faingaanuku.