Crusaders new dynasty just beginning - Super Rugby 2018 Preview
When you walk into the Crusaders players’ gym at Rugby Park, championship banners along the back wall stare down at you. They have enough to cover half the length of the gym – a constant reminder to current players of the past success that the team is built on.
The 2017 banner will be the first past halfway on that wall – proud work of the current squad and symbolic of the beginning of a new Crusaders era. It’s been a long time between drinks for Super Rugby’s most successful franchise – at least in terms of what they were used to – the Crusaders 8th championship season in 2017 has been 9 years in the making.
In between, the perennial finalists lost two grand finals to Australian sides, watched the Chiefs win twice after losing back-to-back semi-finals to them and suffered their worst season result since 2001 losing seven times missing the playoffs in 2015.
2017 was the return of Crusaders rugby but this could be the dawn of a new dynasty with 2018 shaping up as another championship season.
The roster is primed with experience, with arguably the best tight five in the competition. The depth in the front row is outstanding – Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Mike Alaalatoa to name a few. When All Black prop Wyatt Crockett is coming off the bench, you know your front row stocks are strong.
With Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano and Scott Barrett they have a formidable second row, and experienced loosies Kieran Read, Jordan Taufua and Matt Todd round out a world-class pack.
Before last year’s championship season, there were concerns over their age – these were proven to be overblown. The experience and toughness of this pack are invaluable assets that led the team to 14 straight victories last season.
The Crusaders have youth in all the right places, uncovering gems in centre Jack Goodhue and wings George Bridge and Manasa Mataele last year while fullback David Havili earned an All Blacks call-up.
With the addition of New Zealand u20 star fullback Will Jordan and wing Braydon Ennor, expect more young stars to emerge this season.
The value the Crusaders put on experience is obvious, bringing in 35-year-old first five Mike Delaney after an age-defying season with Bay of Plenty and the calm presence of 30-year-old centre Tim Bateman.
More Super Rugby Previews
Desperate to crack the playoffs’ Blues
Hurricanes title window still open
Highlanders to bring same staunch attitude
The franchise seems to find advantages by exploring every possible option. They experimented with ex-Wallaby Digby Ioane last season, as well as bringing in Chiefs centre Seta Tamanivalu, turning him into a solid contributor on the wing. Don’t bet against this year’s signings paying off.
The Crusaders best-kept secret is no more, with the emergence of first-five eighth Richie Mo’unga as a genuine threat to Beauden Barrett’s place as New Zealand’s best 10.
History shows since 2010 every Super Rugby winning team had a 10 aged between 23-26. Even All Black legend Dan Carter – who played for the Crusaders until 33 – won his last title at age 26.
The 23-year-old Mo’unga became the latest name on that list and is only just entering the sweet spot for Super Rugby first-fives. This is a big reason to back the Crusaders this year, Mo’unga is going to get better heading into his third season.
The team weren’t widely expected to win the title in 2017. That title was a bonus in Scott Robertson’s first year at the helm and the team will be hungry for more success.
The Crusader’s toughest competition in the New Zealand conference will be the Hurricanes – the only Super team to beat them last year – and they will know it. The Canes might be the only side between the Crusaders and back-to-back titles.
2018 Predictions
New Zealand Conference Placing: 1st
Player of the Year: Richie Mo’unga
Rookie of the Year: Will Jordan
Best Signing: Mike Delaney
Breakout Player: Pete Samu
Super Rugby Placing: Champions
Franchise History
Best finish: Champions in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2017
Worst finish: Twelfth in 1996
Squad Movements
In: Ethan Blackadder (Tasman), Mike Delany (Bay of Plenty), Braydon Ennor (Canterbury), Billy Harmon (Canterbury), Will Jordan (Tasman), Tom Sanders (Chiefs), Jack Stratton (Canterbury).
Out: Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (Manawatu), Jed Brown (Canterbury), Whetu Douglas (Treviso), Sione Fifita (Counties Manukau), Vernon Fredericks (Tasman), Leon Fukofuka (Auckland), Digby Ioane (Wild Knights), Marty McKenzie (Chiefs), Sean Wainui (Taranaki).
Squad: Ben Funnell, Andrew Makalio, Codie Taylor, Mike Alaalatoa, Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Oliver Jager, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Scott Barrett, Mitchell Dunshea, Luke Romano, Quinten Strange, Sam Whitelock, Ethan Blackadder, Billy Harmon, Kieran Read, Tom Sanders, Pete Samu, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, Mitchell Drummond, Bryn Hall, Jack Stratton, Mike Delany, Mitchell Hunt, Richie Mo’unga, Tim Bateman, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, George Bridge, Israel Dagg, David Havili, Will Jordan, Jone Macilai, Manasa Mataele, Seta Tamanivalu.
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to comments