Harsh lessons of Suva need to be acknowledged
It could be tempting fate to suggest the Crusaders are capable of setting a new Super Rugby record. But here goes, anyway.
Not since the Crusaders team of 2002 stormed through what was then a 12-team competition to win the crown without dropping a game, has another side equalled or bettered the milestone of securing 13 wins from the opening round.
The Crusaders side of 2017 is getting close. Under new coach Scott Robertson they have burned a trail of destruction through New Zealand, Australia and South Africa and clobbered 11 different opponents.
If the Crusaders beat the Chiefs in Suva, the Rebels in Melbourne and the Highlanders in Christchurch in the next three rounds they will advance past that figure of 13 consecutive wins from 15 years ago.
Of course things are so much different now, than they were back in 2002.
In those days you had 12 teams, who played each other once. The top four advanced to the semifinals, while the rest went on their Mad Monday benders.
Now Super Rugby is a muddled mess, the competition expanded to 18 teams and marred by a convoluted draw and confusing playoff system by the greedy Sanzaar shareholders who compromised their fans’ loyalty for the opportunity to grab more money.
However it is still a tough competition to win, especially from the New Zealand conference. Rarely do the Kiwi teams emerge from the rugged derby games without having men carted off to the doctor’s surgery.
Each week these players continue to front. Some of their opponents may be lightweights, but the competition schedule is longer and the workload heavier.
The Crusaders attrition rate is testament to this. Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Israel Dagg, Richie Mo’unga, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Digby Ioane, Ryan Crotty Scott Barrett, Jed Brown and Mitchell Dunshea have missed games because of injury.
When the Super Rugby champions, the Hurricanes, arrived in Christchurch there was a buzz among rugby heads in the city. This, it was widely agreed, was the exam that Robertson’s team needed to pass.
In front of around 21,000 fans the Crusaders survived a torrid test of their fortitude, composure and execution by winning 20-12.
In doing so they denied the Hurricanes a bonus point, and now they are in with a real chance of winning the New Zealand conference. Maybe, even, they could claim the minor premiership if the Lions come a gutser on their side of this mad draw foisted upon us by Sanzaar.
As everyone knows, it is very difficult to win a title by playing away. Home advantage is everything.
And the Chiefs have given that up on Friday night, trading Hamilton for a guaranteed cash bonus by hosting the Crusaders at ANZ Stadium in Suva.
Last year the Crusaders failed to take advantage of not having to play in front of the parochial crowd at Waikato Stadium; they lost the plot, flinging the ball around in the rain in Suva and were beaten 23-13.
They will need to be disciplined for this one. Certainly, the Crusaders’ performances to date have been more than encouraging. Much, much, more. You have to assume that the team of 2002, coached and captained by Robbie Deans and Reuben Thorne respectively, would agree.