With the new Super Rugby season looming large on the horizon we take a look at each of the 15 competitors. Next up, the Crusaders!
As the tournament's most successful franchise, there will be pressure on the Crusaders to add to their tally of seven title wins. Achieving that goal will be easier said than done as they will be without the services of legendary captain Richie McCaw, who is only poised to return to action in July from a six-month break.
Last Year: Their exit, in the semi-finals, is regarded by everyone connected to the Christchurch-based franchise as a failure and coach Todd Blackadder will be determined to get his team back to the top of the Super Rugby tree. Their form fluctuated during the early stages of 2012 but they seemed to hit their straps with a four-match winning streak. Things imploded, however, when they suffered a shock 28-19 loss to the Rebels in Round 12. The following week they took their anger out on the Blues, registering a convincing 59-12 win which was their biggest of the season. After reaching the play-offs, where they beat the Bulls, they were knocked out in the semi-finals by eventual champions the Chiefs.
This Year: Despite winning more Super Rugby titles than any other franchise, the Crusaders last won the competition in 2008. Last year's loss in the semi-finals and their defeat to the Reds in the 2011 final means that Blackadder will be under pressure to deliver the goods this year. The franchise's former skipper has bolstered his backroom staff by appointing Tabai Matson and Aaron Mauger as his new assistant coaches. The duo guided Canterbury to ITM Cup glory in 2012 and will be expected to repeat that magic on a bigger stage. The 2013 campaign suffered a setback - before it started - when All Blacks wing Zac Guildford was forced to take an indefinite break from the game due to yet another off-field incident. When on form, Guildford is one of the game's best finishers and it remains to be seen how his absence affects the team. The Crusaders' season doesn't kick-off until March 1 with tricky away matches against the Blues and the Hurricanes. Their tour to South Africa will also be intriguing as they will be up against the Stormers and Sharks who have been two of the competitions strongest teams in recent seasons.
Players to watch: With regular skipper Richie McCaw only poised to return to action in July, from a six-month break, new captain Kieran Read's leadership skills will be closely scrutinised. Although Read has captained the side before, this season will be different as it will be over an extended period and it will be interesting to see how the leadership role affects his form. Amongst the backs, Dan Carter and Israel Dagg are players who will be expected to provide the attacking spark. The duo are arguably the best players in their respective positions when on song.
Noteworthy signings: Jeremy Su'a, Shane Christie and Jordan Taufua (all Tasman), Johnny McNicholl, Dominic Bird (both Canterbury)
Noteworthy losses: Ben Franks (Hurricanes), Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors), Quentin MacDonald (Blues), Zac Guildford
Prospects: Although they should be challenging for honours, they will be weakened by the absence - for most of the tournament - of McCaw. But by the time the World Cup winner returns they should be on course for another shot at the title.
Fixtures:
1 March: v Blues - Away
8 March: v Hurricanes - Away
16 March: v Bulls - Home
23 March: v Kings - Home
30 March: v Stormers - Away
5 April: v Sharks - Away
13 April: v Force - Away
20 April: v Highlanders - Home
28 April: v Rebels - Home
5 May: v Brumbies - Away
18 May: v Blues - Home
24 May: v Chiefs - Away
31 May: v Waratahs - Home
29 June: v Highlanders - Away
5 July: v Chiefs - Home
12 July: v Hurricanes - Home
Comments
Trinats2 says...
Hibird
How can it be "anomalous" when it was the first time they met ! If and a big if, the Crusaders won this year then it would be anomalous !
Posted 12:42 13th February 2013
hybrid187 says...
This is what we call an 'anomalous' result, similar to the Blues beating the Brumbies last year and dashing any hopes of a Brumbies playoff. :)
Posted 10:47 13th February 2013
Trinats2 says...
hybrid187
Crusaders did play the weak Aussie team last year, as far as I can remember, I think the Rebels won !
Posted 20:20 12th February 2013
hybrid187 says...
Trinats, they may have played the last placed Lions twice, but Aussie teams made 3 of the next 4 last spots.
I think it more than balances out in Reds' favor.
Also PR please put together a table of which teams dont play each other at all in this years Super. I could go through the fixtures and do it myself but Id rather wait on you, as this requires effort. I wanna see who gets a sweet deal and who gets screwed over this year. Do the Reds get it good like they did when they won, and their main competition the Saders didnt get to play two weak sides (believe they missed out on the Mighty Rebels and Cheetahs) ? How about the Brumbies last year, they didnt play the Stormers OR Crusaders. And they played Force, Tahs and Rebels TWICE !! What a dream draw !! Did they make the finals ? No. lol.
Posted 13:36 12th February 2013
capedcrusader says...
We'll be fine without the King - we have been in the past. KR has taken on the mantle of experienced captain and others need opportunities. That said he can carry a game on his own which is a void that can't be replaced. Concern in the propping area a usual strength and we could do with another world class finisher aka Gear. This is where our past strength in depth has come back to haunt us with the loss of Poki for example. Hopefully the likes on McNicholl will continue his rise and form to part fill any perceived gap. Happy with our home games against OZ & SA franchises. As always we will be a force away from home which not many other franchises can boast.
Trinats do us all a favour and concentrate on your own team this season
Posted 11:42 12th February 2013
Trinats2 says...
cuw3100:
I agree, reds won 11 games lost 5 compared to sharks and bulls who won only 10 games each and lost 6 games, and they played the Last place Lions twice !
Nothing wrong with the system 2011 when Reds topped it and won the playoffs
"They don't play the Reds... what a farce!"
I agree, for the Reds have had their rub over the past few years (2008 I think !), including the farce that was their last game. The one where t the Reds scored the only try but with 17 penalties (wtf) against them from Kiwi Bryce Lawtohimself, Cru won on penalties!!! As a Reds supporter I was looking forward to a return game at suncorp !
Posted 11:22 12th February 2013
hybrid187 says...
cuw3100: Welcome to the farce that is the conference system. Now SA has the Kings, who may as well give 10 points to the other SA teams now before we've even started. Aus has the Force, Rebels and maybe Tahs/Brumbies (we'll see) already. There's no weak teams (on paper) in NZ.
Posted 09:48 12th February 2013
georgesmith says...
Crusaders can't win with T. Blackadder. Maybe they should consider getting under-fire Wallabies coach R. Deans back. Still a pretty powerful squad with K. Read and D. Carter as the generals.
Posted 08:58 12th February 2013
TheRoof says...
I can't remember the last time Richie McCaw had an absolute blinder for the Crusaders. All Blacks yes - but not in recent times in Super 15. Been injured for a lt of it. Time for new blood like Jordan Taufua, Shane Christie and old hand Matt Todd to stand up and shine.
Posted 08:49 12th February 2013
Trinats2 says...
With or without Richie. Well we will have to wait and find out !!!
Posted 07:56 12th February 2013
cuw3100 says...
Pos Team P Pts
1 Stormers 16 66
2 Chiefs 16 64
3 Reds 16 58
4 Crusaders 16 61
5 Bulls 16 59
6 Sharks 16 59
7 Brumbies 16 58
8 Hurricanes 16 57
What a pity this confeeence system is depriving the best teams a chance to play in semi finals!!!!
Because of the system and the weakness of OZ teams, better teams lose out :(
Posted 06:45 12th February 2013
jmanngod says...
I imagine they will go just fine ... and maybe the opposition and their supporters will save some breath from all their crybaby bleating?
They don't play the Reds... what a farce!
Posted 05:40 12th February 2013
PREEST says...
Don't worry mate, Canterbury are producing quality players all the time. Canterbury is a quality team with or without Richie.
Posted 05:19 12th February 2013
Trinats2 says...
Interesting to see how they go without McCaw there to slow the opposition ball down.
Posted 20:11 11th February 2013