'End of the Crusaders' dynasty': Ex-All Black on the loss to the Chiefs
Ex-All Black wing Jeff Wilson believes the end of the Crusaders dynasty has arrived after the 34-24 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton.
The defending champions and six-time Super Rugby winners under Scott Robertson are currently fifth on the Super Rugby ladder after suffering their third loss of the season.
Wilson wasn’t convinced that they will be able to pull off another title after watching their ‘playoff’ mode rugby fail to work against the undefeated Chiefs.
“I think this could be the end of the Crusaders’ dynasty,” Wilson told Sky Sport’s The Breakdown.
“Because they tried to play playoff football in the round robin. Last night they tried to do what they do in the knockout stages and it didn’t work.
“They don’t have the same amount of depth and experience they’ve had in the past to be able to grind out those big moments, big plays.
“They conceded scrum penalties in the last 15 minutes of a big game and kicked the ball, just didn’t play any rugby.
“I don’t remember them trying to play for multiple phases. When they did, they made mistakes.
“I thought the standard across the board, for these two teams in terms of skill execution, I think they let themselves down.
“It was tight, it was enthralling as a contest, but both teams know they can be better.”
The Crusaders fell behind 19-7 only to rally with two tries to take the lead back heading into the final quarter.
After trading penalties and a couple of lead changes, it was the Chiefs who broke the game open and found two tries to seal the deal.
Ex-All Black fullback Mils Muliaina wasn’t prepared to write off the Crusaders just yet given the heavy injury toll they have suffered.
All Blacks Sevu Reece, Fletcher Newell and George Bower are out for the season while midfielders Jack Goodhue and David Havili have missed large stints.
All Black blindside flanker Ethan Blackadder is also sidelined currently along with a number of other players.
“I still think the Crusaders are there or thereabouts,” Muliana said.
“You have to remember they’ve been hindered by massive injuries.
“The continuity in their game has been hindered by those injuries.
“Havili is coming back into some great form, we still haven’t seen Mo’unga fire like we know he can. He’s shown glimpses, against the Blues he did.”
Wilson reiterated that regardless of the injuries, the departures at the end of the season ensure that this is the last hurrah for the playing group.
Scott Robertson will be leaving to join the All Blacks along with assistant Scott Hansen, first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga is heading to Japan while club legend Sam Whitelock is reportedly heading to France.
“What I’m saying is, it is the end of it,” Wilson argued.
“There is no Scott Robertson, no Richie Mo’unga in 2024. It’s going to be the end of it.
“It is a different Crusaders team you are going to see next season. It is the last stand for this group.”
Former Blues coach John Kirwan was prepared to give the Crusaders the benefit of the doubt and backed them to come back later in the season and challenge for the title.
“I’m going to defend the Crusaders I think the dynasty will not stop,” Kirwan said.
“There are some guys there out on that field that haven’t had big match experience. Yesterday they probably didn’t do the right things.
“I think that if they get a few more people back, start making better decisions.
“When you are continuing to build a dynasty, what needs to happen is you need to fail for those guys to step up.
“The thing about the Crusaders is, they’ll be harsh, people won’t play again if they don’t step up.
“I still think they are not the best side in the competition. I agree with half of your argument that at the moment the Crusaders aren’t good enough.
“But I don’t think it is the end of the dynasty by any means. They’ll get a few players back and come back late.”
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf 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 commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to comments