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Thanks Crusaders for appeasing all your fans in South Africa with your annihilation of the Stormers to secure a showdown with the Queenslanders! In Cape Town they say you’ll find among the many die-hard fans of the Stormers as equally many Crusaders fans, all of whom wear the famous All Black replica jersey with pride.
And about 800km down the road to the east in Port Elizabeth, where the All Blacks play the Springboks in a Tri Nations Test in August, there may be less of them, but enough to keep the Crusaders’ and All Blacks’ flag flying high indeed.
Many fellow South Africans are appalled by colleagues’ allegiance to the New Zealand franchises like the Crusaders, Hurricanes and of course at international level – the All Blacks!
It’s a difficult one to explain, it’s something of the heart; when the passion burns and runs deep only the individual will know.
No amount of explaining will help clarify the support for the All Blacks – especially among people of colour in South Africa.
One of the reasons would be the way and the spirit in which the New Zealanders play this great game of rugby. It was all too evident in the Stormers’ demise at Newlands. The media saying “the South Africans didn’t turn up” is actually denigrating towards the Crusaders.
But that’s South African fervour for you. We won’t give the much-vaunted opposition from Kiwi country the credit where it’s deserved; that’s the intensity of the rivalry that’s always been in evidence between Bok-Kiwi.
A couple of moments in the game shows why the Kiwis’ skill levels will always be a factor that constantly has the beating of South African teams, whether in Super Rugby or at international level:
– The Sonny Bill Williams off-load to Robbie Freuean at full tilt; an example of New Zealand support play and reading of the play that is second to none.
– Awesome forward power by Wyatt Crockett (and Fynn, Franks) who kept shoving his opposing prop off his feet
– Of course, the counter-rucking by the tight five that is a Kiwi tradition appreciated by fans down here.
So much for the Stormers’ strength up front in the run-up!
C’mon Stormers’ fans. You were outmuscled, outgunned, outscrummed and outplayed!
A point in passing, it’s quite crazy to think that teams are having to play one week and travel halfway around the world, the next to play at the next venue in the playoffs.
It happened to the Sharks after their win against the Bulls at Loftus.
Did anybody honestly think they could pull it off after all that travelling after bashing their bodies about the previous week?
The Crusaders are doing it under even more arduous circumstances given the earthquake in Christchurch. SANZAR is short-sighted to think that this type of thing can continue without some compromise or changes being made.
There is every danger that Super Rugby’s format is ultimately going to lead to its own demise. Besides player burnout and earlier retirements due to injuries, fans are ultimately going to be overcome by overkill, which doesn’t equate to boredom. Surely there should be interest in the players’ well-being in a World Cup year.
What are these players going to look like, feel like when the tournament comes around? After Currie Cup, Tri Nations and all the other local tournaments?
Are we as fans going to be watching a World Cup lacking in the high intensity required of a tournament of such a nature, due to tired bodies on the field of play?
I’m not saying get rid of Super Rugby; sure it’s a motivating factor for higher honours for the youngsters and those wanting to resurrect their careers – but at times such as in a World Cup year, some fancy footwork is needed by rugby bosses and the sponsors. Cut down on the travel and save our rugby players please.
Go Crusaders – and viva All Blacks for the World Cup!
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.