With just one round until the Super Rugby finals start, the top six have emerged and this week they will decide among themselves who finishes where.
I have a few great (possibly forced, you decide) cultural references as an ode to a changing of the guard in Super Rugby.
The following song being the number one single on the ARIA charts at the end of 2001 illustrates what a strange year it was:
Furthermore, the Moulin Rouge soundtrack was the number one selling album of the year. (The Bridget Jones’s Diary soundtrack came in 11th. How do you make a soundtrack out of a woman sitting around smoking!?)
Other musical mistakes in 2001 included letting people think Bob the Builder should make music; we didn’t kill Nickelback when they released How You Remind Me and they’re still going; we let Nikki Webster continue to make music, and Shaggy had two top-five songs – which should have been cause to cancel music in this country.
We had a bad year. And it wasn’t just a notable year for our bad taste in music.
On May 19, 2001, the first Apple store opened in New York City, and the Sharks beat the Cats and the Brumbies beat the Reds in the Super Rugby semi-finals.
You’ll notice I didn’t say the Crusaders were playing; that’s because the Crusaders missed the Super Rugby finals that year. In an aberration that could easily have torn a hole in the space-time continuum, the men from Christchurch weren’t there when the knockout rounds began.
And here we are in 2015 and the Crusaders will, again – no, finally – miss the finals of a Super Rugby season.
With only one game to play, the maximum number of points they can earn is five. They can’t make it from here because they are seven points back. Even if the Crusaders use their voodoo magic to beat the Brumbies and score eight tries so SANZAR somehow award them two bonus points, they still can’t make the finals.
(I’m being thorough here, you never know with these last minute jinxes.)
It’s an amazing feat. Every year between 2002 and 2014 the Crusaders made the Super Rugby finals – in fact they finished in the top four each time as well.
They didn’t require any fancy pants top six, even when it was on offer in the last three years of that run.
On June 19, 2015, teams will play the first of the knockout matches for the year and the Saders will not be there. Apple will probably open a store on Mars or something too.
When that first qualifying final kicks off, remember to the check the space-time continuum for any rips or tears, and have pegs and sticky tape handy to quickly handle them before they get too big.
This is going to feel weird. The only thing we don’t know is what movie soundtracks we are all going to be suckered into buying for our girlfriends, wives and daughters.
The lesson to take away from the Crusaders missing the finals is this.
Back in April I predicted the Crusaders wouldn’t make the finals. An absurdly early prediction given they always make the finals and you aren’t supposed to predict anything against the Crusaders because they use it as ammunition to break your heart.
But I stuck my neck out with the impossible prediction and nailed it.
If you need any other juggernauts stopped let me know.
(No, the meme isn’t 100 per cent correct, I make predictions every weekend in the expert tips column and they’re pretty bad.)
So: where to from here for the Crusaders?
Next year will see a changing of the guard. Dan Carter is taking off to France after the World Cup, and Richie McCaw is expected to either hang up the boots and take up his rightful place as ruler of the world or pad his own superannuation account in Europe as well.
Those are two dynastic cornerstones someone has to replace. Undoubtedly other players will take the European cash in a World Cup year as well.
And then we get to Todd Blackadder.
Despite being a constant finalist under Blackadder’s watch until this year, the Crusaders haven’t added to their seven championships (what an obscene number, such hogs) since Robbie Deans made the ill-fated decision to get involved in Australian rugby in 2008.
Blackadder has one year left on the three-year deal he signed in 2013. Stability and continuing the same traditions, patterns and habits are some of the reasons the Crusaders have been so successful over the years, but the Crusaders are all about championships.
Is it time to bring back Robbie Deans? Is it time to look elsewhere? Making life easier for Blackadder is the fact that his assistants don’t appear to be obvious championship-winning coaches. So a sacking now would be more pronounced than Crusaders management is used to.
As I said at the top this an ode to a changing of the guard. It has been a clumsy, ham-fisted attempt but this column is meant to be my farewell to a special era of rugby.
The Crusaders won’t be the same next year as they were during their epic run through Super Rugby, during which they broke all of our hearts, many times. During which they dazzled. During which they out-smarted. During which they took those broken hearts and reversed over them another time.
They were ruthless, they were victorious often, and they’re about to be gone. Take a moment to remember a once-in-a-lifetime team.
One thing Super Rugby got right in 2001 was an Australian team – the Brumbies – won the title, here’s to that happening again.
And in 2001, one small bit of music taste we got right was buying lots of copies of a great Australian rock album in Powderfinger’s Odyssey Number Five.
Here is that trusty classic that will allow you take 2001 seriously again.
Buk
Guest
Me too last year. Thought they were gone.
Michael
Roar Rookie
So that means the Brumbies will win?
Bruce Peters
Roar Rookie
Agree, not the quakes. Simply playing the same game again and again. Run out of ideas
Sylvester
Guest
2002: Unbeaten and played really attractive rugby. 2011: The travel and the emotion. Inspirational.
Sylvester
Guest
I wouldn't blame the quakes. The results under Blackadder really haven't been notably better or worse before or after 2011.
Sylvester
Guest
That was me last year! Just couldn't see how they'd get the early season trainwreck back on track - then they ended up in the final. Despite Blackadder's record looking pretty good, I think it's time for a new regime. They've recruited poorly in recent times and the coaching just seems without new ideas and uninspired. Must look outside the Crusaders old boys club.
Wombat
Guest
I think a sure way to make the RWC an even playing field is to pick Carter, Richie M & a few other older Crusaders. If they play them and not the clearly younger better players they run the risk of being to old to win the cup, not by much, but it will bring other countries into the mix. This RWC is more open than most gone by and the AB's haven't been able to win one away from home.
Ted Jones
Guest
Clueless. Better win record than Eddie, Ewen and Cheika with 5 Super titles to boot.
lassitude
Guest
It's been very clear since circa 2007 that there's been increased interference in the franchises from the NZRFU. This particularly applies to the top echelon players so that means the Cru get hit because they provide the core of the forward pack. BTW THe bulk of the super successes for NZ franchises come before that ( 9 in 11years before 2007 v 3 in 8 years after ) - so I don't think much of the point you seem to be making in your 2nd paragraph. And 2 of those recent wins were by the Chiefs who didn't really have any top echelon ABs (although Retallick is now) - which is a good place to be. Yes it is an IRB sanctioned tournament - that's the point. Let the franchises manage their cattle in accordance with that. I don't see the franchises in the other SANZAR countries being so compliant - there's been some well aired standoffs (or at least equivocations) between national coach and franchise coach in both SA and Oz.
Piru
Guest
Was? Made? Had? We are talking in past tense already? I predict a Crusaders championship next year You heard it here first.
Gavin Fernie
Guest
Most of the Super Competition Champions have had coaches who have welded a squad into a team; ateam who know exactly what is expected of them, and a team which plays for each other.. Another feature of the winning teams is that the coaching personnel have been a team as well. Very little room for prima donnas who shout and scream.with the notable exception of Michael (Mad Dog) Cheika, who is a border line nutter on occasions; but a very good coach nonetheless. Sadly, Todd Blackadder,should be called Todder the Plodder. A solid, if uninspiring All Black, a decent man, but palpably incapable of inspiring the Crusaders to maintain a structure and adapt to the changing of tactics in the Super Competition after their Empire days . Not every good or even great player (Sir John Kirwan) is capable of being an exceptional coach. Time for Todd to fall on his sword.
Markus
Guest
Perhaps another one that will come back to bite, and 'Australian Rugby' will be blamed as opposed to the team that let him go?
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Thank you for that Sheek. I wouldn't have thought of that reference myself, which means you have a very... talented... mind for references!
Elisha Pearce
Expert
I've never predicted the Crusaders would miss the finals before this year I don't think! Why would I do that to myself!?
Paul
Guest
That's not true completely. Nadolo was big and lazy. he needed time to mature. Who's to say any team would want to have spent that much money on someone who wasn't themselves commited. Sure he turned out good, but for every lazy player that comes good, there are probably 10 who never do. Volavola is not a patch on Folau. Yes he has promise but to say he was as good in 2014 is just about the silliest thing I have ever heard. There is no room at the tahs, and I have no problem with him leaving them, but the Reds should have chased him
Playmaker
Guest
......beginning of a new era. They will just pick up the the pieces and remember 2015 , because they have the core to rebuild quickly and they only know success.Watch out for next year.
Sean Turner
Roar Guru
Funny thing that. If it was not for a piece of Bernard Foley brilliance in each game both this game and last year, the Crusaders would go from beaten runners up missing the finals and questions of the dynasty dying, to defending champions looking to go for the double.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
End of an era or end of a streak? They've restored some pride in recent weeks, but it's all too little, all too late. Does anyone really feel bad about it though? It's not like a beloved team is coming to the end of its run. The Crusaders aren't America's team, are they?
Old Bugger
Guest
hear, hear Akari....
Bruce Rankin
Roar Rookie
Very timely article Elisha, with lots of pertinent contributions. Have to confess I'm a dyed in the wool Cantabrian and Crusaders supporter from way back in 1953 when Canterbury routed Wellington 5 tries to nil to lift the iconic Ranfurly Shield and hold it until 1956. As a schoolboy I went (bicycled!) to Lancaster Park to see nearly all of the 23 challenges. Yes "Rugby Tragic" we were called 'one eyed' way back then. Many of the Crusaders' attributes have been mentioned, however I feel one unmentioned key has been the family culture of the Crusaders, especially fostered by Robbie Deans. Draft players coming from other provinces to join the Crusaders, including their wives, partners and girlfriends, were made to feel part of the family. Deans' wife was key in providing support and friendship, including them in social events, plus helping with all sorts of advice, guidance and counselling. Winger 'Strormin' Norman Berryman from North Auckland for example was perhaps a difficult character, yet with careful 'handling' by Deans he thrived in the team/family culture, scoring 7 tries in 4 weeks in the first title season of 1998. There have been many others since (most not 'difficult') culminating with Fijian Nadolo who has been brilliant for the last two years. Yet despite having typically 13-17 All Blacks in the side for each of the last seven years under Blackadder, the Crusaders have no title to show for it. While Blackadder was a great captain, a good guy and appears a very good coach, I don't feel he has the necessary mongrel to get the Crusaders over the line in critical games to be able to win finals, like Cheika with the Waratahs for example. (Agree with many here who said 2011 was their best performance, with every game being away from home.) Sadly however it's time for Toddy to move on. Another factor is that Keiran Read's captaincy is lacking in tactical awareness. In last year's final for example, half back Willi Heinz replaced Ellis with five minutes to go with the Crusaders leading by 2 points. The first two possessions he got, Heinz kicked the ball upfield and gave away possession. Game over. Heinz should have had strict instructions from Read not to kick the ball away in any circumstance, but hang onto possession at all cost. In the final rematch in Sydney two weeks ago, when Latu was yellow carded for his (and Skelton's) driving tackle on Whitelock, Read did not change his tactics to take advantage of the forward situation. Instead the Crusaders continued to spin the ball from one side to the other - when the Waratahs scored 10 points. Normally a yellow card gives away 10 points to the non-offending side. Read should have immediately changed tactics and driven the ball up in the forwards from scrums, lineouts, rucks, mauls and pick and goes. Both examples show lack of captaincy nous at a crucial time. Lastly, this year I've felt the Crusaders have, at times, been playing like tired old men. Maybe they thought that with 16 All Blacks + Nadolo all they had to do was turn up. Fat chance. Every side starting with the Rebels in the first game is out to knock off a leading team. Paul Cully had a perceptive article in the Herald just before the recent Crusaders v Waratahs game. He observed - correctly in my view - that while the Crusaders had five or six relatively new All Blacks (Bird, Crotty, Moody, Slade(?), Taylor and Luke Whitelock) - none of them was a genuine game breaker. This year McCaw, Carter, Slade, Tom Taylor and one other will be moving on. Do all these factors mean that the Crusaders dynasty is over? Not necessarily. There is still a core of 11 All Blacks and new talent coming through. After a World Cup year there will be something of a cleanout from all franchises as players move overseas or finally hang up their boots. eg The Waratahs are losing a number of players, while the Hurricanes will probably say goodbye to Conrad Smith , Nonu and Cory Jane. Always an interesting proposition.