Crusaders coach off to Fiji
Even as he bakes under the sun in Fiji, Scott Robertson will still be thinking about rugby.
While their All Blacks have congregated in Auckland ahead of the test against France on June 9, the remainder of the Crusaders players and the coaches will take the week off to recover and recuperate from 15 weeks of Super Rugby graft.
For head coach Robertson, who has asked the squad return for training next Tuesday to prepare for the match against the French Barbarians in Christchurch on June 15, that means flying towards some warmer temperatures to spend time with family.
‘‘We booked a holiday a while ago, and will take the boys,’’ he said. ‘‘They don’t get dad too much during the rugby season, it is just a good chance to get a wee sun tan … And I will probably go to a local rugby game as well.’’ So Robertson won’t be staying away from the oval ball. He just cannot help himself and says it also provides him with the chance to extend some goodwill to the rugby fraternity.
‘‘When I go to the islands I always take some shorts and socks for the local rugby team. We have got a spare set of jerseys or something for the sevens team, it is just great to connect with the Fijian rugby community.
‘‘I will do some coaching at a local school over there. They love it, they are massive supporters of the Crusaders.’’
The Crusaders have prospered from having Fijian players on their books over the years, and Seta Tamanivalu, Manasa Mataele and Joni Macilai are in the current squad.
It has already been a long campaign for Robertson. After assisting Robbie Deans with the Barbarians in the northern hemisphere he returned for the Crusaders’ pre-season training in early December, followed by the Brisbane Tens and warm-up games. The first Super Rugby game against the Chiefs in Christchurch, won by the Crusaders 45-23, was played on February 24.
The Crusaders have lost just two games, to the Hurricanes and Highlanders in Wellington and Dunedin, which has been followed by a 10-game winning stretch.
Attention to detail will be crucial as the Crusaders forage for every advantage they can for the title defence and Robertson will be unable to resist mixing work with recreation.
‘‘I just can’t stop, there’s always some part of the day when I am thinking and planning,’’ he noted. to make sure we showed the effort – for what Wyatt has done for the club over a long period of time. And we did.’’
Centre Seta Tamanivalu was voted best player by his teammates, a reflection of his work in defence and ability to combine with David Havili, who was switched to the midfield following the injury to Goodhue.
Robertson isn’t a drama king. Good thing, too, because there might be a few more bumps before this ride is finished.
With the All Blacks scheduled to play France in a three-test series, the Crusaders, who have contributed nine men to the national squad, must pray they don’t return to the club nursing serious injuries ahead of the remaining regular season games against the Highlanders and Blues in Christchurch.
What is in the Crusaders’ favour is that have a bye after the test window, allowing the players an extra week to recover. Now they will ease themselves into a holding pattern.
There are games to be played against the French Barbarians in Christchurch on June 15 and the Western Force in Perth a week later.
Robertson scheduled the games because he wants the nonAll Blacks to retain their edge.
‘‘I am thinking of guys who have not had a lot of game time, like Mitch Dunshea, Billy Harmon and Ethan Blackadder, who is in incredible form, to continue that.
‘‘These games are critical for us to keep our momentum. We need to freshen-up and reenergise and the boys understand that.’’
This has to also be balanced with the need to let players freshen-up both mentally and physically.
‘‘It is a real mindset thing I drive with the boys all the time,’’ Robertson added. ‘‘Some might have two weeks off, like play the French game and then have the one against the Force off. All players will be individually managed.’’