Crusaders anxious to end drought
Israel Dagg knows a fool would rely on luck to win a finals match. So does Crusaders team-mate Matt Todd.
Both have played more 100 Super Rugby games, but like most of their teammates, they have never earned the right to party through the night after a final and greet the dawn chorus with a delirious smile.
Of the current squad only Kieran Read, Wyatt Crockett and Tim Bateman were on the club’s books when they beat the Waratahs in the final at Lancaster Park in 2008. Yes, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?
A win over the Highlanders in the quarterfinal in Christchurch tonight would fuel the Crusaders’ fire, allowing them to advance into the semis and host the Stormers or the Chiefs.
It also inches them closer to the glory that men like right wing Dagg and flanker Todd have plotted for, and discussed, each pre-season since they joined the Crusaders in 2011.
So what salient lessons have they absorbed from their previous nearmisses, which includes losing the 2011 and 2014 grand finals?
‘‘Yeah, it is a tough question,’’ Dagg said.
‘‘I have spoken about it this week, it is about the small moments. If you can win those it goes a long way to winning finals footy. You saw last week [when they lost 31-22 to the Hurricanes], we switched off for a few seconds and they scored tries. It’s about staying ‘on’ for the full 80.’’ It was a sentiment echoed by Todd. ‘‘It goes back to execution, when you get chances you have got to take them. When we get down there, we need to take points … We have to make sure we are disciplined, and don’t get side-tracked by the occasion or caught up in the pressure.’’
As he watched the rain tumble down yesterday, Dagg expected his opponents to imitate the precipitation with their kicking game.
‘‘We know the ‘Landers love the contestable kicks, so the outside backs have spoken about that,’’ Dagg said.
‘‘If we don’t go out there and act excited and give it our best, we are going to be packing our bags and getting ready to run some blocks and do some fitness next week.’’
Until Super Rugby went into hibernation for the test window, the Crusaders took a sledgehammer to everything in their path and won 14 straight.
Three consecutive losses, to the British and Irish Lions, in a ‘‘friendly’’ against the Highlanders in Timaru, and to the Hurricanes last weekend, exposed their vulnerabilities.
A win would inch coach Scott Robertson closer to making a dream start to his first year in charge of the Crusaders; now it’s up to the players to stick to the strategies.
Highlanders midfielder Malakai Fekitoa has confirmed he is leaving New Zealand rugby for France.
The 24-test All Black posted on his Instagram account yesterday, saying he has signed a two year deal with French club giant Toulon.
‘‘I wanted to let you all know I have decided to join Toulon (RCT) at the end of the year,’’ he said.
‘‘It has been the hardest decision of my life to leave New Zealand, but after looking at all the things that are important to me I feel this is the right time for me.’’
Fekitoa’s departure has been a talking point all season, after he admitted he had been in contact with foreign clubs in the leadup to the Highlanders’ opening Super Rugby match in February.
He’s battled to find the form which propelled him into the All Blacks in 2014-15, and speculation he would leave New Zealand intensified when he missed out on the initial All Blacks squad for the recent test series against the British and Irish Lions.
An injury to Ryan Crotty and a suspension to Sonny Bill Williams resulted in him getting called up for the third test at Eden Park, where he made a brief appearance off the bench in the 15-15 draw.
In what could be his final game in New Zealand, Fekitoa will start at centre for the Highlanders in their Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Crusaders in Christchurch tonight.
The Highlanders haven’t given up hope the man who played a key role in them winning their maiden Super title in 2015 will be back, thanking the Tongan-born midfield back via social media.
‘‘Mala, thank you for an amazing ride over the past four seasons and the 60+ games you’ve laced up the boots for us. We ... hope to have you back in the Highlanders in 2020.’’
Fekitoa will join former All Blacks Ma’a Nonu and Luke McAlister at Toulon.
The Highlanders will also farewell pivot Marty Banks and wing Patrick Osborne at the end of the season, but wing Waisake Naholo will stay with the southerners next year.