‘Gives them hope’: Ex-All Black previews Crusaders’ ‘different challenge’
Former All Blacks wing Jeff Wilson has explained why the winless Crusaders will carry a sense of “hope” into their upcoming New Zealand derby with the Chiefs under the lights in Christchurch on Friday night.
For the first time in team history, the Crusaders have started a Super Rugby season with a 0-5 record. The defending competition champions fought valiantly in their one home match of the season a fortnight ago but were pipped late by the Hurricanes.
The Crusaders’ last match was a game of two halves in Auckland as the visitors kept the scores close before the break, but it was a different story altogether against the Blues in the second 40.
With the Western Force registering a stunning upset win over the Queensland Reds on Saturday, the Crusaders are dead last on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder as the only team yet to win a match.
Looking to get their season “started” at Apollo Projects Stadium, the headline-grabbing omission of one of the Chiefs’ biggest stars may give the Crusaders a very real chance of snapping their losing run.
“Nothing’s changed for them because their season hasn’t got started. The reality is they’re under a lot of pressure, they desperately need a win – they desperately need a bye, they need to get healthy, they need some things to change,” Jeff Wilson said on Stan Sports’ The Call Up.
“I suppose what gives them hope now is they’re going up against a Chiefs team that has no Damian McKenzie. That’s the big shift that’s happened in this game.
“Josh Jacomb is a young first five. It’s going to be his responsibility to drive this team around the park.
“But, the last time the Crusaders were at home it was against the Hurricanes and they played very, very well. They were within one or two plays, big plays, of beating them.
“They’ll understand that there’s pressure on but I think it’s got significantly, (I won’t) say easier but it’s a different challenge now that McKenzie’s not there.”
The Crusaders have made four changes to their starting side for the sixth round of the season with halfback Mitchell Drummond slotting into the No. 9 jersey and taking up the captaincy.
Drummond, who has played one Test for the All Blacks, is the Crusaders’ fourth captain of the year after Scott Barrett, David Havili and flanker Tom Christie.
Flanker Corey Kellow, outside back Johnny McNicholl and centre Dalla McLeod have also been promoted to the starting side ahead of a clash between last year’s grand finalists.
“I couldn’t agree more,” former Wallaby Morgan Turinui added in response to Jeff Wilson. “Drummond in as well for the Crusaders.
“It’s round six, you’re the team on the bottom of the table, and you’ve got to play the Chiefs for the second time this season. You’ve got to be filthy.
“But if you’re the Crusaders, you know that when Damian McKenzie went off the field in round one they came roaring back into the game. The Chiefs last week when McKenzie went off were a completely different team.
“This might be the moment the Crusaders just have to find a win at home.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments