Red and blacks well aware of twin loss threat

These are the weeks coaches earn their coin.

Scott Robertson hasn’t had too many of them either – eight to be exact – since he took over as Crusaders head coach in 2017.

Losses sure are foreign territory, particularly comprehensive ones, as last week’s record 33-12 pasting at the hands of the embattled Highlanders was.

Now, the reigning champions must bounce back against the Hurricanes in Wellington tomorrow to avoid back-to-back defeats for the first time since 2018.

‘‘It’s been an honest week, that’s the first thing. To get better you need to be honest,’’ Robertson said.

‘‘We looked at ourselves, our preparation, some individual performances, and also our coaches’ preparation for it. We’ll be better for that.’’

Last week’s stinker was the reality check the Crusaders pride themselves on not needing to light a fuse under them.

They’re accustomed to teams wanting nothing more than to bury them, and teams fronting with a nothing to lose attitude.

Everyone wants to beat the Crusaders, winners of four straight titles, and a record 11 overall.

There is no exception this week against the Hurricanes, who have taken the Highlanders’ place at the bottom of the standings and simply must win to keep their already slim finals hopes alive.

‘‘It’s something we’re really proud of, turning up with the right mindset every week. If you’re slightly off, those are the results you get. It’s a friendly reminder,’’ Robertson said.

‘‘Execution was big for us, we had enough opportunities and didn’t take them, which is really uncharacteristic for us to not trust the call or to give that ball.

‘‘The other thing is, probably, we were against a side that was pretty desperate. Human spirit is something amazing when they have a bit of adversity, and they can get together like that.’’

The only other performance under Robertson which was arguably as poor as last week’s was the 20-12 defeat to the Waratahs in Sydney in 2019.

Both defeats were on the back of the team emerging from the sheds flat, failing to adjust to conditions, wayward passing, a plethora of handling errors, and poor game management. The 2019 Crusaders bounced back by hammering the Hurricanes 32-8 in Wellington.

‘‘They’re [Hurricanes] in a similar position [to the Highlanders last week], they’re desperate as well, they can get their season back on track with a win against us and get themselves back into it,’’ Robertson said. ‘‘That’s probably one of the good things from [last] weekend, the result keeps everyone alive.’’

The table-topping Crusaders will all but seal a spot in the final if they condemn the Hurricanes to a fifth defeat of the season.

● Meanwhile seven weeks into Super Rugby Aotearoa, all eyes will be on 19-year-old Ruben Love in his first start in the No 10 jersey for the Hurricanes opposite All Blacks pivot Richie Mo’unga.

After three unconvincing weeks from utility Orbyn Leger, following Jackson Garden-Bachop’s seasonending injury, coach Jason Holland was jolted into action with the gifted Manawatu product to face the Crusaders.

Love’s promotion to the starting lineup was one of six changes from their insipid 27-17 loss to the Blues, which also features a shift to No 7 for captain Ardie Savea and the return of centre Peter UmagaJensen alongside Ngani Laumape. Love, who turns 20 on April 28, was plucked from Palmerston North by Wellington Rugby, then signed by the Hurricanes last November until

2023.

The gifted sportsman, son of former Manawatu fullback Matene Love, shone for Palmerston North Boys’ High School’s first XV at either first-five or fullback and caught the eye of Hurricanes’ scouts.