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Scott Robertson reveals Crusaders' 2017 title win was inspired by Muhammad Ali's famous heavyweight bout

By Online Editors
Scott Robertson arrives back in Christchurch from South Africa in August 2017 with the Super Rugby trophy (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Scott Roberston has revealed the boxing history that drove Crusaders on to end their Super Rugby trophy famine in 2017.

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The New Zealander’s approach to coaching the franchise is using a unique theme to connect his players to a common purpose and to each other. Two years ago, that source of daily motivation was the story of Muhammad Ali and the heavyweight champion’s exploits of 1974. 

Ali hadn’t been champion in nine years, had lost two attempts at reclaiming the world heavyweight championship and people said he was past it.

When Robertson was appointed in Christchurch, the Crusaders had gone nine years without a title, had lost two finals in their recent history and were being written off. 

“He lost two heavyweight championships of the world, and then fought George Foreman in The Rumble In The Jungle. He beat a guy who was bigger than him, stronger than him. Shouldn’t have won that fight. And at that moment he became the greatest,” said Robertson in an extensive video interview with The 1014 Rugby.  

Ali’s similarity with the rugby franchise’s background wasn’t lost on the coach. “We had lost two finals. Everyone said we were too old and we were done. The dynasty was finished,” continued Robertson who set about tapping into the emotion surrounding the Ali comeback.

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“As soon as you see a picture you get a connection in your head, which connects to feelings. You want people to feel and become emotive, and invest their interest in that common goal.

“We changed up our defence. More around knocking people out and more inventive, more aggressive words. We used a lot of our boxing themes.”

Muhammad Ali’s 1974 story inspired the 2017 Crusaders (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)

Then came the Super Rugby final, a trip to face the Lions in Johannesburg which Robertson framed as the Crusaders’ own Rumble in the Jungle which they went on to win. “Let’s go – we’re in the rumble in the jungle, baby. Let’s fight, and do something special,” he said.

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Crusaders’ use of season-long themes didn’t end there. There had a different approach when successfully defending their title in 2018 and another is being rolled out through their current campaign as they strive to win a third title in a succession. 

“Every meeting it’s there. You live it every day. You’d be blown away. And last year’s one was even better,” said assistant coach Ronan O’Gara, who was part of The 1014 Rugby interview. 

WATCH: The Short Ball’s Scotty Stevenson and Ali Williams review Alex Goode’s post-Champions Cup celebration bender

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Adrian 1 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

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T
Trevor 4 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 8 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.

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