The hoodoo haunting Crusaders

It seems difficult to believe that seven years have passed since the Crusaders chirped a victory song following a first-round Super Rugby match in Christchurch.

It’s true. The now-defunct Lancaster Park provided the setting for the South Island ‘‘derby’’ match against the Highlanders on February 13, 2010, won 32-17 by the Crusaders. Andy Ellis, Jared Payne, Zac Guildford and Sean Maitland scored tries against the Highlanders and Dan Carter booted the remainder of points in a win that also featured the abrasive Jimmy Cowan directing his frustration towards All Blacks teammate Ellis by using several points of his arms and hands to ill effect.

‘‘It is about us not giving away dumb penalties and playing at the right end of the field.’’ Israel Dagg

Then came the drought. In the ensuing six years the Crusaders have recorded just one win in their first game of the season, against the Blues in Auckland in 2012. Their last three season-openers, all in Christchurch, resulted in defeats to the Chiefs (twice) and the Rebels. All eyes now turn to new Crusaders coach Scott Robertson and his captain Sam Whitelock as they try to reverse this ugly trend, and mark the new era by spiking the Brumbies at AMI Stadium on Saturday night. Comparing the teams on paper, there is no denying the Crusaders must be favoured to win this.

But many of us have been guilty of saying that in the past, and been left looking like fools. Robertson has told eight All Blacks he wants them to blunt the Aussies’ enthusiasm from the first whistle, and has another two in front rowers Codie Taylor and Wyatt Crockett on the reserves bench. Losing wings Nemani Nadolo and Johnny McNicholl, and the vastly experienced Ellis, since 2016 has forced Robertson to compensate with new selections but it is minor stuff compared to what Brumbies counterpart Stephen Larkham has to experience.

Larkham has lost Wallabies captain and hooker Stephen Moore to the Reds, ace loose forward David Pocock is off on sabbatical, versatile back Christian Lealiifano is still recovering from treatment after being diagnosed with leukaemia and playmaker Matt Toomua has joined English club Leicester.

There is a degree of both teams entering the unknown, although Crusaders fullback Israel Dagg suspects the Brumbies will stick to the formula that helped them qualify for the quarterfinals last year, when they used lineout drives to good effect.

The Brumbies may be without Pocock, who often parked himself in the back of the drive as the ball carrier, but Larkham could be reluctant to abandon the strategy.

‘‘For sure, we have spoken about that (the Brumbies’ rolling mauls) – that they are team that likes to suffocate the opposition and trap them down in their own goal lines and their own areas,’’ Dagg said.

‘‘It is about us not giving away dumb penalties and playing at the right end of the field.’’

How the Crusaders try to unpick the Brumbies defence will be of immense interest to local spectators.

In the latter seasons under former coach Todd Blackadder the Crusaders stacked-up phases as they shifting the ball from sideline to sideline, a ploy that sometimes stalled because defenders could drift and shadow the ball.

Robertson favoured an open game plan during his four years with Canterbury, although he is likely to sacrifice flair by encouraging confrontation in a more physically-demanding competition. The combination of former Blues halfback Bryn Hall with first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga, and whether they attempt to lock the Brumbies in their half with kicks, may be a pillar of their strategy.

‘‘His (Mo’unga) knowledge and experience in the Crusaders franchise has been really helpful for me, so we have the got the first opportunity together to try and get it right,’’ Hall said.