Crusaders warned of Latin American passion

Scott Robertson can probably still recall in colourful detail the moment when the city of Buenos Aires nearly spawned one of his worst rugby nightmares.

Had Robertson, then a test No 8, not scored a try inside the final minutes of the match in the Argentinian capital in late 2001 the history books would have noted he was a member of the All Blacks team that had lost to the Pumas for the first time.

So if Robertson, who isn’t shy of regaling his players with stories, catches some of his men goofing around prior to the Crusaders’ game against the Jaguares on Sunday morning (NZT) he might ask they pull-up a chair, tip the headphones from their heads and tune into his wavelength.

That the All Blacks escaped with a 24-21 victory over 16 years ago couldn’t be attributed to clinical execution, or skill. It was a stubborn attitude, and a refusal to allow a sub-par performance to define them, which finally got the New Zealanders home.

Crusaders coach Robertson would be within his rights to demand the same from his team ahead of this Super Rugby match at Estadio Jose Amalfitani.

‘‘They would love to have our scalp,’’ Robertson said.

‘‘They have got the Latin blood, they love to whistle and their boos. They are passionate.’’

He isn’t wrong there. When the local crowd start getting vocal, it’s all on.

It’s difficult to get a gauge on the erratic Jaguares, although recent victories over the Lions and Waratah – both in Buenos Aires – say plenty. Mess around and they will lift you off your feet with a neat uppercut. The Crusaders’ 14-8 win over the Lions in Johannesburg last week wasn’t pretty. Neither was the victory over the Bulls in the Christchurch rain in the previous round – and that was preceded by consecutive defeats to the Hurricanes and Highlanders.

Excuses for flat performances can always be found. And the Crusaders, to be fair, can call upon their share.

A rising injury count means No 8 Jordan Taufua, Jack Goodhue, Wyatt Crockett and Oli Jager were unable to be considered for this contest, joining a stack of others on the sideline.

Robertson has also used this fixture to swap All Blacks locks Luke Romano (in) and Scott Barrett (out) as he adheres to the rotation policy for internationals. It must be awkward, especially when injuries force selection changes, but it’s a reality.

‘‘He’s on rotation,’’ Robertson confirmed in reference to Barrett. ‘‘All Blacks get two byes and two games off, and this is one of two (weeks).

‘‘You have a plan that is pretty adaptable and that is what we have done … We love our All Blacks, and this is part of the collective agreement.

‘‘We manage the best we can, and it is a challenge – 100 per cent a challenge. But that is the art of it.’’

The absence of the aggressive

Taufua forces a back row shuffle, with Heiden Bedwell-Curtis shifting to No 8 to accommodate Tom Sanders at blindside flanker.

Tim Bateman replaces Goodhue at centre, while the in-form Manasa Mataele, who Robertson described as one of the form wingers in the competition, replaces his uncle Seta Tamanivalu on the right wing.

Taufua’s absence means the Crusaders don’t have their key enforcer to the stand-up to any Jaguares players attempting to bully and intimidate, but Robertson said he needed the break.

‘‘He’s been carrying a few injuries over the last month, an ankle and his shoulder. Both injuries are really niggly so it’s a chance for him to get two weeks off – obviously with the bye the next week.

‘‘It was always our plan to give him the chance to freshen-up.’’

The injury to tighthead specialist Jager has resulted in Samoan rep Donald Brighouse being listed on the bench.

Meanwhile, All Blacks Israel Dagg, Owen Franks and Joe Moody will finally return after serious injuries forced them into recovery mode last winter. They will make their first appearaces of the year for their clubs on Saturday.

Dagg, who has recovered from a knee injury, will play for his University club. Franks, who required surgery on a troublesome Achilles tendon, will represent Linwood. Moody, having had surgery after badly dislocating his shoulder in the Rugby Championship, will turn out for his Lincoln club.

It is uncertain when All Blacks captain Kieran Read will return and he is doubt for the three-test series against France in June.

‘‘They have got the Latin blood, they love to whistle and their boos. They are passionate.’’ Crusaders coach Scott Robertson