Robertson’s Crusaders dazzle as sun scorches in Darfield
New Crusaders coach Scott Robertson had every reason to cut a relaxed figure after he watched his side run in eight tries during their 50-33 win over the Highlanders yesterday.
Robertson, in his first season in charge of the Crusaders following Todd Blackadder’s move to English club Bath, would be the first to accept Super Rugby trial games are not worth a pinch of dust when the competition proper starts but he had to be happy with this effort in sunbaked Darfield.
Weight of possession favoured the Crusaders, who were led by the vigorous and robust Jordan Taufua in the first spell, a position he may fill when the competition starts because All Blacks captain Kieran Read, who is recovering from wrist surgery, isn’t expected to be available until early April.
Given more than 10 All Blacks were not involved – lock Luke Romano and midfielder Seta stuff.co.nz Tamanivalu were the only internationals on duty for the Crusaders, while No 8 Luke Whitelock was the sole test rep for the Highlanders – it was a decent blow-out.
Robertson might be a rookie coach at this level but there was no chance of him unveiling any key plans in a preseason game. He We saw some great tries, good skills and desperation in defence. It was a good mix. instructed his team to stick to a strategy of keeping the ball alive, keep their shape on attack, and play flat-out.
‘‘That was a young group out there. It was just about guys showing some intensity and that is what they did in a lot of ways,’’ Robertson said. ‘‘We saw some great tries, good skills and desperation in defence. It was a good mix.’’
Tamanivalu, who has transferred south from the Chiefs, should be a very useful asset. He used his power to decent effect when subbed on in the second half and his arrival coincided with that of Tim Bateman, back at the Crusaders after stints in Japan and with the Hurricanes.
New Highlanders coach Tony Brown shouldn’t have been dissatisfied with his players’ efforts; while they were often off the ground fast after making tackles, it was their execution in simple oneon-one situations that allowed the Crusaders ball runners to offload to galloping support runners.
Even Prime Minister Bill English, a Highlanders fan who was among the 5200 spectators, couldn’t have quibbled with this result.