’Be very afraid’ of the Crusaders

EVEN if it is only four weeks into the season, the clinical nature of the Crusaders’ demolition of the Chiefs has left Super Rugby fans in New Zealand wondering if anyone can stop their march to a third successive title.

Scott Robertson’s team were at their ruthless best in Christchurch on Saturday as they scored nine tries from set piece, phase play, on the counter, or in the case of Sevu Reece with an intercept, in their record 57-28 victory.

Backs and forwards interplayed with ease, support players knew exactly where to go and timed their runs to the point ball carriers were confident they could throw a pass and it would land in the hands of a teammate.

The victory was also achieved against a side that has been perennial playoff contenders for much of the past decade, even if they are now mired in a death spiral with an 0-4 record this season.

On Saturday’s evidence, respected sports columnist Phil Gifford had three words for the rest of the competition.

“Be very afraid,” he wrote in the New Zealand Herald. “The Crusaders of 2019 already look as if they might be better than the Crusaders of 2017 and 2018.”

Gifford pointed out that at least eight All Blacks were absent on Saturday, with players like Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks, Matt Todd and George Bridge sitting in the stands. The younger players on the field proved just as ruthless, however, with electric fullback Will Jordan scoring two tries and No 8 Whetu Douglas as bruising in defence and penetrative in attack as New Zealand skipper Read. |