Rockstar status for Sonny Bill
Approximately 300 eager fans surrounded the Crusaders' team coach on Saturday night as they waited for one man, Sonny Bill Williams.
Approximately 300 eager supporters surrounded the Crusaders' team bus on Saturday night as they waited for one man, centre Sonny Bill Williams.
Rarely had Newlands witnessed such a send-off following a Super Rugby fixture, as the visitors, yes visitors, emerged from their changing room.
Then came the moment they had all been waiting for as Williams sauntered out to mass screams and cheers. He did not go straight onto the bus but instead signed yet more autographs and waved to his adoring fans while Sean Maitland filmed the incredible scenes on his phone.
Such is the celebrity status here for the likes of Williams, Robbie Freuan and Dan Carter that head coach Todd Blackadder even joked they're considering adopting the Western Cape as home in 2012. But that sentiment was tinged with sadness as he revealed their usual venue, AMI Stadium, is unlikely to be ready for next season.
“It's not looking good. With the most recent earthquake it's pretty much written it off which is a shame. We're looking at alternative options in Christchurch next year,” he explained.
“The Crusaders are a beacon of hope for our people and we want to be part of the rebuilding process, so whatever we can do to get a stadium back in Christchurch and get our people along will be really important for our community.”
That sad note should, however, take nothing away from what's been a monumental effort from the Crusaders in making next week's Super Rugby final, having travelled well over 100,000 kilometres throughout the term. It isn't over yet though as today (Sunday) they'll jump back on a plane for Brisbane where they will spend the week recuperating.
Blackadder spoke on Thursday of how impressed he's been having not heard one peep of an excuse from any of his squad members, who have been away from their families for the majority of early 2011. And following the final whistle he made sure to echo his feelings.
“To say I'm really proud of the players would be an understatement,” said the coach.
“Words can't describe what these guys have done and I'm proud of their performance tonight. They've been outstanding all season but tonight in particular they were excellent.
“Our guys put a lot of effort into the game and I thought we had an outstanding set-piece and defence. The guys just kept getting up and going forward in their defensive line as we knew that we would have to play really well to get a good result. I don't think it was an easy game, I think we just stepped up when we needed to.”
It is hard not to be impressed by this franchise's character after the recent earthquakes, which have even left Kieran Read's home damaged. Yet the team has made little noise, if any, about the situation – yet another reason why their support doesn't end in Christchurch.
And so to this coming Saturday when we will have in many people's eyes the dream final, with the attacking brilliance of Quade Cooper on one side and the scrum dominance of the Crusaders on the other. It should be quite an 80 minutes at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane that Blackadder revealed will just be another leg of what's been an unforgettable season.
“We're really excited about the final. This is why the guys put in such hard work – to get these sorts of opportunities,” he added before saying that the Crusaders' class of 2011 is better than any of his Super Rugby title-winning teams of 1998, 1999 or 2000.
“For us, we've been travelling wilburys all year so it's another leg and another opportunity. We know how to travel well, we know how to prepare for games and the players know how to look after themselves. It's an incredible week ahead of us.”
It promises to be an incredible game.
By Adam Kyriacou at Newlands