Can the Crusaders make it a three-peat? - Super Rugby 2019 Preview
The Crusaders have a lot to thank their head coach and former 86-cap loose forward Scott Robertson for.
Between his departure from Christchurch as a four-time Super Rugby champion in 2003 and his return to the club at the end of 2016, the Crusaders had reached their peak and were beginning to plateau after steady yet worrisome decline.
In the five years following Robertson’s exit to Europe and Japan, his former coach Robbie Deans steered the Cantabrians to three more Super Rugby titles, taking his grand total to seven before leaving for the Wallabies in 2008.
Former All Blacks captain Todd Blackadder signed on as Deans’ replacement, but what ensued was the most unsuccessful period in the Crusaders’ history.
Eight seasons they went without securing a Super Rugby crown, and although they came within a whisker of winning in 2011 and 2014, they never replicated the prolific success that Deans earned them.
The fall from grace climaxed when they missed out on the playoffs for the first time in nearly two decades in 2015, and so when Blackadder left for greener pastures the following year, the Crusaders faithful were desperate for someone to take them back to the top.
Now coming into his third season as Blackadder’s replacement, Robertson hasn’t just taken them to the top – he’s catapulted them there.
The 23-test former All Black has reinforced the Crusaders’ reputation as by far and away the most title-laden club in the competition by earning two trophies in his first two seasons on the job.
Throughout those 2017 and 2018 campaigns, no other side really looked like they would oust the Crusaders for the championship once the playoffs rolled around, and heading into 2019, it’s shaping up to be that way once again.
Robertson’s obvious passion for his club, players, and region is illustrated in his coaching and the style of play of which he’s implemented at the Crusaders, and those feelings are reciprocated towards him by his players and fans alike.
He’s become a firm fan favourite at AMI Stadium, and with his astute tactical awareness and unorthodox coaching philosophy which incorporates a large emphasis on having fun while achieving success, he’s made his side firm favourites to claim a third straight title as well.
It’s difficult to envisage another team denying the Crusaders a second-ever three-peat, not when they have got such an array of quality players, such a breadth of depth in their squad, and largely the same core of players who went back-to-back in 2017 and 2018.
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The biggest name not to be returning is 203-match stalwart Wyatt Crockett, who has retired after a 13-season affiliation with the club.
Other significant departures include three-test All Black Seta Tamanivalu, who has signed with Bordeaux in the Top 14, and blockbusting loose forward Pete Samu, who has transferred to the Brumbies to pursue a test career in Australia.
However, despite the talent that trio of players possesses, those losses are mere blips in the Crusaders’ quest for a hat-trick of titles.
The holes left by those players were well and truly plugged up in the off-season, with the likes of exciting loose forward Whetu Douglas and powerful young winger Leicester Fainga’anuku coming in as their replacements.
They will complement the services of those who have already been in and around the squad for the past few seasons, which should only enhance the Crusaders’ fortunes.
Their all-star forward pack – almost entirely composed of seasoned All Blacks such as Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock and Owen Franks – will continue to cause damage at the set-piece and at the breakdown, laying the platform for their backline, of which will again be orchestrated by the ever-impressive Richie Mo’unga.
He was so good from first-five last year that there were numerous calls for him to overtake Beauden Barrett as New Zealand’s starting first-five, and although that didn’t come to fruition, the 24-year-old will certainly put the pressure on Barrett over the course of the season.
Mo’unga looms as the Crusaders’ key man this year, as was the case in 2018, and should he reach that same level of brilliance, then those outside him, like Jack Goodhue and George Bridge, will flourish.
Keep an eye out for electric 20-year-old fullback Will Jordan.
Tamanivalu’s exit paves the way for the Tasman youngster to finally make his debut at this level, and should opposition defences choose to underestimate his capacity to strike from anywhere with ball in hand, they will be duly punished.
All in all, this settled side – bursting with quality and being led by a charismatic coach that knows how to win – are undeniable favourites to take out the 2019 edition of Super Rugby, and it’s going to take a monumental effort from anyone else to stop them.
2018 Predictions:
New Zealand Conference Placing: 1 st
Player of the Year: Richie Mo’unga
Rookie of the Year: Will Jordan
Best Signing: Whetu Douglas
Breakout Player: Andrew Makalio
Squad Movements:
Ins: Harry Allan (Canterbury), Whetu Douglas (Benetton Treviso), Ere Enari (Canterbury),
Brett Cameron (Canterbury), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Tasman), Ngane Punivai (Canterbury)
Outs: Donald Brighouse (released), Wyatt Crockett (retired), Chris King (released), Sam
Anderson-Heather (released), Sebastian Siataga (released), Heiden Bedwell-Curtis
(Hurricanes), Pete Samu (Brumbies), Jack Stratton (released), Mike Delany (retired), Seta
Tamanivalu (Bordeaux), Tima Fainga’anuku (Perpignan), Jone Macilai-Tori (released)
Squad:
Forwards: Michael Alaalatoa, Harry Allan, Owen Franks, Oliver Jager, Joe Moody, Tim Perry,
Ben Funnell, Andrew Makalio, Codie Taylor, Scott Barrett, Luke Romano, Quinten Strange,
Sam Whitelock, Ethan Blackadder, Whetu Douglas, Mitchell Dunshea, Billy Harmon, Kieran
Read, Tom Sanders, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd
Backs: Mitchell Drummond, Ere Enari, Bryn Hall, Brett Cameron, Mitch Hunt, Richie
Mo’unga, Tim Bateman, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Israel Dagg, Braydon
Ennor, Leicester Fainga’anuku, David Havili, Will Jordan, Manasa Mataele, Ngane Punivai
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments