Task to humble champs
Ryan Crotty
rugby and the retiring prop Wyatt Crockett. It’s fair to say the celebrations will be long and loud, and so they should be after the Crusaders defended their title.
And there will also be some sore bodies. The Crusaders were forced to make 180 tackles against the Lions, with flanker Matt Todd making an extraordinary 30 by himself. It all adds up to a balancing act for Hansen, who won’t be able to go too hard too early as far as his red and black players are concerned.
“There was a lot of emotion around the group so we had to be careful not to be too hotheaded or let that influence us on the field,” Crotty said. “We needed to be calm and execute. I think we did that and I think our emotion showed in how we defended.
“The Lions really nailed the tactical side of things. We had to defend. But over the last three weeks we’ve trended towards our defence — that’s what wins finals and the attitude around that tonight was unreal.
“We probably didn’t plan on making 180 tackles. We probably planned on holding the ball a bit more. They dominated territory and possession in that first half.”
Crotty spend 10 minutes in the bin in the second half for kicking the ball out of a Lions’ ruck — he said he wasn’t sure what he was carded for until he got to the sideline. He was compelled to repay his side when he re-joined the match and he and his side were roared home by a capacity crowd. “Here in Christchurch that was the best crowd I’ve played in front of by a mile. Man you could hear them and I think the guys took inspiration from that.
“I’ve been here 10 years and never played a final at home. It’s really special to play in front of your family and friends. It’s nice to get the job done in front of them.”
We probably didn’t plan on making 180 tackles. We probably planned on holding the ball a bit more.