Crusaders warned of 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

David Havili, Manasa Mataele, Tim Bateman, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Mitchell Hunt, Bryn Hall, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Matt Todd, Tom Sanders, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Tim Perry. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Donald Brighouse, Chris King, Quinten Strange, Pete Samu, Mitchell Drummond, Mike Delany, Braydon Ennor.

Joaquin Tuculet, Bautista Delguy, Matias Orlando, Bautista Ezcurra, Emiliano Boffelli, Nicolas Sanchez, Gonzalo Bertranou, Javier Ortega Desio, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera (captain), Tomas Lavanini, Matias Alemanno, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Agustin Creevy, Santiago Garcia Botta. Reserves: Julian Montoya, Felipe Arregui, Juan Pablo Zeiss, Guido Petti, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Martin Landajo, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Ramiro Moyano. Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen. TICKET GIVEAWAY Specsavers and Investec Super Rugby are ensuring you don’t miss a thing by giving Stuff readers the chance to win a double pass to the Hurricanes v Chiefs match in Wellington on April 13. The prize comes with a voucher for two pairs of designer frames from Specsavers. To enter, simply join the Rugby Stuff Facebook group, or head to the page if you’re already a member. In the comments field of the giveaway post pick the score for the Chiefs v Blues match this Saturday night. The closest score prediction will win the prize. Entry cut-off is 7.35pm on Saturday. 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.’’ 9.40am, Sunday (NZ time).

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.