The Crusaders’ new breed
In the final of his series on New Zealand’s Super Rugby teams this season, Liam Napier looks at the Crusaders
Scott Robertson is bound to conjure another mystical theme from a galaxy far, far away to inspire in ways only he can. But it would also not surprise if the Crusaders come back to the pack somewhat this season. They, too, have endured considerable change.
But they still remain the team to beat; those with the target attached. Three successive titles are indisputable.
As the All Blacks discovered last year, though, constantly chasing history can be a troublesome pursuit.
On a personal level, Robertson is as driven as ever after being passed over for the All Blacks head coaching role.
An unprecedented fourth straight Super Rugby crown derived from his creativity and infectious enthusiasm would certainly make New Zealand Rugby bosses squirm ahead of the test season.
Robertson, however, challenges.
He has lost Brad Mooar from his championship-winning coaching staff — said to have played a key role in the team’s strategy — to Scarlets and then the All Blacks.
Ronan O’Gara, the Irishman who had an obvious impact on Richie Mo’unga’s development and the Crusaders defence, has left for France, too.
Compared with those figures, recently-hired former Wales wing Mark Jones is a much more unknown quantity, one that may leave Robertson shouldering the brunt of the burden.
From a player leadership perspective, the Crusaders have huge voids to fill. Kieran Read, Ryan Crotty, Matt Todd and Owen Franks have all departed, and Sam Whitelock is on sabbatical in Japan.
Scott Barrett, with support from Codie Taylor and David Havili, are capable candidates but those are sizeable shoes to fill for anyone.
If there’s one area of concern for the Crusaders, it’s their loose forwards. In addition to Read and Todd, who at Super Rugby level in particular influenced every match he played, the Crusaders lost Jordan Taufua to Leinster, where he has faces significant
Dallas McLeod, Tom Christie, George Bower, Cullen Grace, Sione Havili, Brodie McAlister, Ethan Roots, Isi Tuungafasi, Fergus Burke, Inga Finau, Fetuli Paea.
Tim Bateman (retired), Ryan Crotty (Japan), Israel Dagg (retired), Owen Franks (UK), Ben Funnell (Japan), Mitchell Hunt (Highlanders), Tim Perry, Ngane Punivai (Highlanders), Kieran Read (Japan), Jordan Taufua (UK), Matt Todd (Japan), Sam Whitelock (Japan sabbatical).
quickly made a positive impression.
Promising prospect Ethan Blackadder is also out for the majority of the regular season after shoulder surgery, further stripping the backrow stocks.
Robertson, an All Blacks loose forward, will be well aware this area must be a major focus. He may initially lean heavily on the established trio of Whetukamokamo Douglas, Tom Sanders and Billy Harmon and then attempt to bring through emerging openside Tom Christie, Tasman hit man Sione Havili, North Harbour’s Ethan Roots and Cullen Grace.
Teams may target the Crusaders’ strength at the breakdown against them. On paper at least, their forward pack doesn’t boast the same vaunted All Blacks-laden edge.
Wider out, Robertson seems set to shift Jack Goodhue to second fiveeighths to cover Crotty’s departure and partner him with Braydon Ennor.
From a skills perspective, this makes sense. Ennor’s pace is best used on the outside break from centre and Goodhue’s size and strength in contact should adapt to the more restrictive No 12 brief easily enough.
Goodhue-Ennor is not, though, a ready-made combination.
When paired last year, they did not immediately gel. Like any midfield combo, they need time to appreciate each other’s inherent nuances.
The other option of shifting Havili to the midfield is another case of shifting a player from his preferred, best-suited position of fullback.
Goodhue also confronts the challenge of playing 12 for the Crusaders only to then be asked to slot in at centre for the All Blacks — not an ideal scenario. Anton Lienert-Brown is one of the few to master the difficult art of shifting seamlessly between both roles.
In the backfield, much excitement centres on unleashing George Bridge, Sevu Reece and Will Jordan. Two recent All Blacks, one destined to follow their path, the Crusaders are again blessed with lethal finishers.
Fijian-born flier Manasa Mataele is back 3kg leaner and intent on showcasing his freakish talent after his season-ending knee injury in round two last year robbed him of the chance.
Nelson’s Leicester Faingaanuku, the 109kg wing, has been in the Crusaders academy for the best part of four years. Now the 19-year-old gets his chance to shine on the end of a classy Mo’unga-led backline.
Mo’unga is the Crusaders’ focal figure. No doubt he’ll be better off for his 17 tests and he, like others, is sure to have absorbed lessons from last year’s World Cup disappointment.
Back in Super Rugby, Mo’unga should pick up where he left off, provided he gets the desired platform, and thrive in the extra time and space compared with the test arena. When not challenging the line, look for his kicking game to pick out Bridge and Reece on the edges.
Mo’unga’s controlling presence is reason enough to expect the Crusaders to again be dominant but, given their post-World Cup loss of leadership, they will do well to maintain the same standards as last year when they dropped just two games.
By round four, we will know much more about the Crusaders’ new breed. Opponents may just sense a few vulnerabilities.
The Waratahs in Nelson first up isn’t the most daunting prospect but then three straight Kiwi derbies — Chiefs (away), Blues (away), Highlanders (home) — will severely test title credentials and reveal where this squad sits.