Robertson should start work on some new dance moves
played well and won the game,” said Hansen, who added with more understatement: “The Hurricanes will be disappointed. I don’t think they handled the conditions as well as they would have liked.”
The Crusaders will get Moody back for their match against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday, with new All Blacks squad member Taufua a possibility to return from a tight calf. Whitelock and Crotty are recovering from concussion and will be monitored during the week.
Perry is unlikely to be involved after straining a hamstring on All Blacks duty last Tuesday.
But such is the belief in this team — both as a collective and as individuals — that whoever takes the field at Waikato Stadium will do so with high expectations.
Their last two round-robin games are at home against the Highlanders and Blues. Win those and in Hamilton, and they will qualify for a home final, should they get that far.
It’s difficult to see them being beaten in the big dance at home, and after making headlines around the world with his elaborate moves on the surface of Johannesburg’s Ellis Park following the Crusaders’ historic final win over the Lions last year, a wet shirt and trousers won’t worry Robertson a bit.
Kyle Godwin, Lachlan McCaffrey, Folau Fainga’a, Tom Banks, Andrew Muirhead tries; Christian Lealiifano 3 con, pen; Wharenui Hawera 2 con
Handre Pollard, Roelof Smit, Johnny Kotze tries; Pollard 3 pen, 2 con
Halftime: 10-14.
Nic Groom, Madosh Tambwe, Corne Fourie 2 tries; Elton Jantjes 3 con
Dewaldt Duvenage, Ray Rhule tries; Jean-Luc du Plessis 3 pen, 2 con
Halftime: 17-7.