As the Canterbury Crusaders approach a new era without former coach Robbie Deans, teams in the Super 14 will be fancying their chances of ending the Super Rugby domination cast by them since the tournament’s inception in 1996.
The Crusaders have been easily the best Super 14 Rugby province, capturing seven titles, which is four championships better than the next best side – the Auckland Blues.
It is no surprise then to see them enter the 2009 Super 14 season as the reigning premiers, after defeating the NSW Waratahs last year to win the title.
The Crusaders also enter the season in the usual position as one of the pre-tournament favourites, despite some strong performances in recent seasons by the Natal Sharks and the Waratahs.
Although the Crusaders will be the team to beat in this years Super 14 competition, defeating them may just have gotten a little easier.
Having to contend with Deans now helping the rest of Australia’s Super 14 sides, the Crusaders will also have to make do without the premier half in world rugby, Dan Carter.
Carter will miss the entire Super 14 season due to a Torn Achilles Tendon, and will also miss the All Blacks’ first five Tests this year.
This ensures new Crusaders coach Tony Blackadder will be in for a tough debut season.
Working in Blackadder’s favour, however, is the rest of the Super 14 field, which is yet to field a side as consistent as the Crusaders.
The Crusaders most likely title threats include fellow New Zealand teams the Auckland Blues and the Wellington Hurricanes.
Australian sides, the NSW Waratahs and the ACT Brumbies, can also count themselves as potential Super 14 champions in 2009.
But perhaps the Crusaders’ biggest challenger comes from South African team, the Natal Sharks, who made the 2007 Super 14 final, and finished third last year.
The Sharks welcome back Springbok player John Smit from a stint in Europe and have the necessary arsenal to challenge the Crusaders.
But despite the loss of Deans and Carter, the Crusaders still boast a formidable team with plenty of All Black experience.
Although it will not be the dominating Crusaders of old taking on the field in 2009, the rest of the Super 14 pack should know better than to ever underestimate this champion outfit.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Robbie Deans wasn't the be all and end all of the Crusaders culture. I reckon they'll be in contention in the back half of the competition, though they might not get a home semi. One week isn't long enough to judge any side. Personally I'm hoping a South African team wins it.
sledgeandhammer
Guest
NZ teams always slows starters, but boy chiefs and crusaders looked very average last week. Maybe just a case of week one jitters.
jam
Guest
wait, make that one point
jam
Guest
A very premature call with only one round played, especially as they were within a whisker of taking no points at home against the Chiefs. We'll see this weekend and on 21st March for the rematch of the 2008 finalists. I'm also keen to see how they do against the Sharks and the Blues and even the Bulls and Stormers. Who knows? They may peak too early.
mudskipper
Guest
The Crusaders face an anxious wait over Brad Thorn and Leon MacDonald, both of whom picked up injuries at the weekend. It Might be enough to give advantage to the Brumbies...
Keith
Guest
One more word about the Cheif's pack. Their tight five is pretty green, but their loosies can be good. I'd really like to see Hika Elliot take the opportunity to step up in the number 2 jumper because he showed us some decent form in the NPC.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
team to beat?? Maybe but, having watched the highlights of the round, there are plenty of teams capable of doing well in this year's tournament. As Spiro said, several events have brought the Crusaders back to the field and advanced others. The bookies are going to have a hard time of it. I think that we are seeing the benefit of a competition that has matured and that is now benefiting from a larger number of quality players. Just look at the Aussie teams, and in particular the backs in the critical positions.
Craig
Guest
TT, I think the chiefs are a decent side, but you have to be pretty damn good to make the semi in the S14. I don't rate their pack at all. Keith - Great call on Casey!! I heard that Leonard tackled him and now he's in doubt because he's been lost in there ever since... I didn't Luaki do much, maybe I have already marked his card but to me he is a liability. Palu can drift in and out of games but he's doesn't cost you in the same way Luaki can. Mudskipper - I hope your right!!
mudskipper
Guest
If Chiefs winger Masaga didn't throw that 50/50 mid field ball which a Crusader grabbed and scored 7 points.. The Sades could have been up for a loss...They weren't that impressive. The Brumbies are a big chance this weekend first game at home to send the little new england pony club back to Christchurch without any points....
Nick_KIA
Roar Rookie
I think the Crusaders and Cheifs will both be thereabouts at the pointy end of the season, assuming few injuries. Both packs looked abrasive, mobile and skilled (Crusaders have best backrow in the competition IMO, McCaw, Read, T Waldrom), halves are classy, back 3 great for the cheifs and good for 'saders and centres excellent. Crusaders have winning history, albeit with missing worldclass talent they have previously (Deans/Carter esp) Cheifs have the major monkey of being skilled at losing games they should win. But this year might be their year. Will be interesting to see how they both go against Aus opposition this weekend, esp Cheifs Tahs game which will give real indication of whether Cheifs are a force this year. If they give that one up too then they'll be thinking they'll never win anything again...
Keith
Guest
I reckon Lauaki had a good game last weekend as well. And I truely hope he can get some consistent form together. That shocker in Sydney was only one of his most spectacular brain melts, but I've seen him fall into smaller funks before. Occasionally he pulls off a terrific individual play, and that tends to balance him out in people's minds. I'd be happier if he could maintain a consistently high work rate. Up to now Lauaki has not fulfilled his (enormous) potential. Hope I'm wrong, but I reckon that's going to come back to haunt the Chiefs this year.
True Tah
Guest
Keith I was impressed with Lauaki last weekend - he was actually looking for work, definite improvement on his Sydney Tri Nations performance last year. Interesting to see how he copes with Palu, who I think plays like he's 20kg lighter than he actually is, hopefully someone riles up Cliff and he gets a lot more aggressive. The two Tongan towers.
Keith
Guest
TT - they've definitely got it out wide, but I reckon there's a question mark over their pack. Watch for Lauaki to find new ways to frustate the cow cockies this year.
Keith
Guest
Agree with pretty much all of that craig. On a side note, I reckon Laulala has got more change of getting noticed by the selectors this year now that his hair has its own gravitational field.
True Tah
Guest
craig I think the Chiefs are a better team than you give them credit for - they have some big tough forwards and some excellent backs.
craig
Guest
Having seen the crusaders game last week I don't think they were anywhere near the force they were last year. The Chiefs, while handy are no better than mid-table in my opinion. The Crusaders of last year would have belted them. Casay L was their only real shining light. I like the Sharks and Stormers from SA, Tahs from Aus (maybe Brumbies, but that is probably more heart than head) and the Blues (maybe Canes) I would even suggest that the Crusaders are a good chance not to make the semi's.........