WEATHERING THE ALL BLACK DISTRACTION
The World Cup year will bring challenges and this is something coach Robertson has already alluded to.
Whitelock and Read will miss the first four rounds of the competition due to their enforced All Black rest protocol.
Hooker Codie Taylor may also miss the first few rounds. The global tournament in Japan could be a distraction to a squad full of All Blacks who will be getting strong messages from the national selectors. Significantly, the Crusaders’ first match is against the Blues at Eden Park. The two teams have always had a strong rivalry and it could go to a new level after the former Crusaders assistant Leon MacDonald’s installation as head coach of the Blues.
In the absence of Whitelock, Read and perhaps Taylor, the rest of the squad will have to step up and in fairness to them they have done so in the recent past.
The departure of power wing Seta Tamanivalu could hurt the Crusaders, too. Tamanivalu was immense for Robertson; breaking the advantage line and finishing opportunities that many others couldn’t.
His nephew Manasa Mataele is in line to replace him, but the No 14 jersey is there for the taking.