Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Crusaders named Australasia's best sports team of the last 25 years

By Online Editors
The Crusaders celebrate their 9th Super Rugby title. Photo / Getty Images

After an in-depth analysis by Gain Line Analytics the Crusaders have been named Australasia’s most successful sporting franchise of the past 25 years.

“We wanted to understand what success looked like. It was about good governance and winning but winning continuously, not just winning a title then falling away,” Gain Line Analytics director Ben Darwin told the Sydney Morning Herald.

The Crusaders have won nine Super Rugby titles since the competitions inception in 1996 – more than any other franchise – and have secured the last two titles on the trot.

“In 2011 they [the Crusaders] did something we’ve never seen before, they basically played the entire season away from their home ground because of the earthquake and they still made the final,” former Wallabies prop Darwin said. “To pull that off is pretty extraordinary, particularly with all the extra things that come with earthquakes, like family stress and constantly changing environments.

“They’ve also punched above their weight geographically, representing an area smaller than Newcastle or Geelong, but they have consistently recruited internally from the local area, and produced extraordinary results.”

After being named Australasia’s best by Gain Line Analytics and Platinum Asset Management the Crusaders will be presented a A$25,000 grant for them to donate to a worthy cause of their choosing.

“The BNZ Crusaders began their inaugural Crusade in 1996 as part of the introduction of Super Rugby – the toughest international rugby competition in the world,” a statement on the Platinum Asset Management website reads. “Our team, and the Crusaders Brand, is built on the ethos of; ‘the team is more highly valued than any one individual’. An understated ruthless pursuit of excellence. Leaving nothing to chance, by attention to detail, courage under fire, innovation and risk taking, all in red and black.

The Crusaders were the only New Zealand-based franchise named in the top 25 after an analysis of 122 teams across 14 competitions. In total 74,426 matches dating back to 1993 were analysed during the research.

The Brisbane Broncos rugby league team came in second, with four titles to their name during the 25-year window.

Australasia’s Best Sporting Team – Top 10

1. Crusaders (Super Rugby)
2. Brisbane Broncos (NRL)
3. Geelong Cats (AFL)
4. Fremantle Mariners (National Water Polo League)
5. NSW Breakers (Women’s National Cricket League)
6. Queensland Bulls (Sheffield Shield)
7. Sydney University Lions (National Women’s Water Polo League)
8. Melbourne Storm (NRL)
9. Perth Wildcats (NBL)
10. Sydney Roosters (NRL)

ADVERTISEMENT

You may also like: Wallaby coach Michael Cheika, along with Sekope Kepu and Jack Maddocks on England Test

Video Spacer

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Dean Richards set for return to rugby management Dean Richards set for return to rugby management
Search