Champions’ success theme remains a secret
Just what helped drive the Crusaders to their recordextending ninth Super Rugby title looks set to remain a closely guarded secret.
Having won the title in his first year in charge last season, coach Scott Robertson cooked up a theme in a bid to go back-toback, which they achieved after dispatching the Lions 37-18 in Christchurch on Saturday night.
‘‘I think it’s still a bit of a secret, I’m not sure if I’m allowed to let you know,’’ Crusaders midfielder Ryan Crotty said after his side rattled off a 15th consecutive win. ‘‘It was really special and driven throughout the group all year. It was a special week and [Robertson] really nails that side of things.’’
Seasoned themes aren’t new, nor is the fact the Crusaders boast a culture and bond past and current players and coaches often rave about.
Departing wing Seta Tamanivalu spoke about it after they conquered the Lions, and you need look no further than a weekly excursion Crotty and a bunch of his team-mates have executed the past two years.
On the eve of matches the group – which includes Joe Moody, Mitchell Drummond, George Bridge and Bryn Hall – dress up and go out for dinner. They used the ‘‘Peaky Blinders’’ theme last week, while they’ve been everything from construction workers to bogans.
"There’s a group of us that use the night before a game as a good excuse to carb load and get out for pizza and pasta,’’ Crotty said. ‘‘Each week one of the boys would chuck out a suggestion and it usually gets snapped up and the guys get right behind it.’’
Given Crotty, who has been a Crusader since 2009, had to wait until Saturday to play in a home final, he was at times lost for words when reflecting on what his team had achieved.
He described the vocal sold out crowd of almost 20,000 the best Christchurch crowd he’s played in front of ‘‘by a mile’’, and said it inspired them to dig in and ensure a bunch of departing Crusaders were sent off in style.
Crotty was talking about loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett, who didn’t play in the final but finishes as the most capped (202) Super player, flanker Pete Samu, and Tamanivalu.
‘‘It’s just so nice to do our season justice with getting the result. So proud of the boys, it was a massive effort, and nice to send off a couple of special Crusaders the way they should be sent off,’’ Crotty said.
‘‘It’s right up there. Last year was special because I’d never won one [title], that was so satisfying. But we needed to back that up.
‘‘Proud, happy, ecstatic, relieved. I’m just looking forward to the next couple days with the guys and really enjoying each other’s company and celebrating how hard we’ve worked and the success we’ve achieved.’’