Blackadder wants improvement

Editor

Despite his side's win over the Lions, Crusaders boss Todd Blackadder believes there is still plenty of room for improvement.

Although the men from Christchurch secured a 34-6 bonus-point victory, the scoreline wasn't a true reflection of the match and their execution wasn't on par while their handling skills also fell short of their usual high standards.

"I still think we have got some work to do," said Blackadder.

"Defensively we were high today, tackling high and allowing them to get over the advantage line."

The seven-time champions' coach also wants his side to be more solid around the ruck fringes and prevent opponents from crossing the gain-line.

He praised his side's scrummaging performance and singled out All Blacks prop Wyatt Crockett for special praise.

"I thought Wyatt Crockett was unbelievably strong, the whole eight did a great job," said Blackadder.

"Against the Chiefs (in their 40-16 loss a fortnight earlier) we knew we didn't have our best day at scrum time and just put the work in."