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Scott Robertson reveals the 'uncharacteristic' error the Crusaders need to fix for Hurricanes clash

Scott Robertson. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson is calling on his squad to learn from the “uncharacteristic” error that cost them dearly in last week’s defeat to the Highlanders.

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Last Friday’s 33-12 upset loss to their South Island rivals left Robertson and his troops with plenty to work on in the lead-up to Sunday’s clash with the Hurricanes in Wellington on Sunday.

The 46-year-old admitted it has been “an honest week” as the playing group and coaching staff have been forced to reassess their approach heading into their upcoming fixture.

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“To get better, you need to be honest and we just looked at ourselves and our preparation, some individual performances, and also our coaches’ preparation before it. We’re better for that,” he told reporters on Friday.

Robertson pinpointed his side’s lack of execution as an area of their game that needs much improvement if they are to emerge from Sky Stadium with a victory.

Immediately after last week’s match, Robertson lambasted his side’s high error rate and poor handling skills. He also credited the Highlanders for using last week’s off-field drama as a motivation tactic to defy the odds and overcome the Crusaders.

The former All Blacks loose forward reiterated those sentiments shortly after naming his side for Sunday’s match as he challenged his players to be more clinical, efficient and have a stronger desire to succeed.

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“Execution was big for us. We had enough opportunities and didn’t take them, which is really uncharacteristic for us,” Robertson said of where the Crusaders went wrong last week.

“The other thing is we were against a side that was pretty desperate. The human spirit is amazing when they have a bit of adversity and they can get together like that. 

“Just shows how much they care about their jersey and [we] probably got out-cared that night.”

Asked if he expects a similar showing of passion and commitment to the cause from the Hurricanes, Robertson said the Wellingtonians are in a similar situation to the Highlanders given their last-placed rankings on the competition standings.

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“They’re desperate as well. They can get their season back on track with a win against us and get themselves back into it and that’s probably one of the good things from the weekend. The result keeps everyone alive,” he said.

“They’ve got some quality players and they’re well-coached, so full respect in our preparation for them.”

Just how the Crusaders have prepared for the Hurricanes remains to be seen, but Robertson was insistent that his team need to turn up to the match in the right state of mind if they are to turn their fortunes around.

“Something we’re really proud of, turning up with the right mindset every week, and if you’re slightly off, those are the results you’re going to get.”

The Crusaders have welcomed All Blacks wing Sevu Reece back into the starting lineup for this weekend, while loosehead prop Joe Moody will celebrate his 100th appearance for the franchise.

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, have named 19-year-old rookie Ruben Love in No 10 in what will be his first start in Super Rugby after just five minutes off the bench in his debut against the Highlanders two weeks ago.

Kick-off for Sunday’s clash between the Crusaders and Hurricanes is scheduled for 3:35pm NZT.

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PoppaRick 1 hour ago
The Chiefs are better than the Crusaders

It annoys when sport “Professionals “ make statements like that . The Best Team, plays their Best game in the final. The start of the Season is pure entertainment for the Fans and training for the Teams. The last 2 years in a row the Chiefs timed their run wrong and “Choked “. Not a word used when speaking about the Crusaders, EVER!!

Hamish Bidwell should put something behind his arrogant statement. He’s playing the weatherman game, he knows, if he gets it wrong, meh!

But he takes kudos for getting a 50/50 right.

Remember game #1.

Rob Penny took his front row off including Tamaiti Williams who was demolishing the Chiefs scrum and causing havoc all over the field. The Saders lost the second half and the game, meh? Yes meh! We lost Tamaiti first game last season a loss we didn’t recover from when added to Jordan, Scooter, Backadder , etc. Yet they beat The Blues in the last Round game. Oh that’s right the Chiefs ( qualified first ) then lost to the Blues, at home! With 🐄🔔S.

The Crusaders as a whole, from top down, know the season is decided at the end.

Not a team I would write off so easily.

As for the Cow Bells. If I had Chiefs supporters coming over to watch the game at mine. I would ask them to leave the bells at home, purely because they are so bloody annoying. My house my rules. Next year don’t lose in the “Finals” (joke), get the home final and tell the Crusaders to leave the horses at home (🤣🤣🤣).

I can’t wait the game will be awesome for so many reasons.

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