‘Razor’ ready to build a dynasty

WELLINGTON: The Crusaders have long been seen as a brutal, uncompromising and brilliant side but few would have called the Super Rugby titans “fun” until breakdancing coach Scott Robertson, pictured, took the reins last year.

In his first season in charge, Robertson ended eight years of frustration by delivering an eighth Super Rugby title with an away win against the Lions, celebrating the feat on the Ellis Park turf with a routine boasting a head-spin and a caterpillar roll.

Rugby League Park might be in for a similar treat on Saturday when the Crusaders host the Johannesburg-based team at their Christchurch stronghold in a repeat of last year’s final.

Few barring the Lions themselves give the South Africans any hope of upsetting a team whose dominance has echoes of the golden years when they claimed seven titles from 1998 to 2008.

A former All Blacks loose forward capped 23 times, Robertson featured in the first four of those triumphs during his playing days under Wayne Smith and Robbie Deans.

Hailed for his exuberance and high-intensity approach, he claimed to have earned his nickname “Razor” after boasting that his shoulder had cut Wallabies centre Pat Howard in half in a clash against the Brumbies in 1996.

Despite his pedigree and a coaching CV featuring three titles with Canterbury’s provincial side, along with a World Cup win with New Zealand’s Under-20 team, the straggly-haired surfer from the Bay of Plenty seemed a left-field choice to replace the departing Todd Blackadder at the end of 2016.

It took little time for him to build a deep bond with an All Blacks-laden squad which had suffered a few knocks to its confidence in the last couple of years under Blackadder.

Happy to leave some of the more technical aspects of coaching to his assistants, Robertson focused on the motivational side, seeking to infuse his players with the same energy that propelled his own coaching.

Pranks, singing contests and a more welcoming reception to the families of the players around the team have also marked Robertson’s time in charge.

With a pack made up mostly of Test forwards and a potent back line featuring vastly improved wing George Bridge and centre Jack Goodhue, the Crusaders are equally comfortable playing with width or keeping the game tight.

Like Robertson’s championship breakdancing, it’s not always pretty but fans are unlikely to judge the coach too harshly for the aesthetics if the Crusaders end up hoisting the Super Rugby trophy for the ninth time on Saturday.

– Reuters