After back-to-back Super Rugby titles, the Crusaders now have their eye on a second franchise three-peat.
In the final part of our final Super Rugby preview series, we evaluate the defending champions’ chances for 2019.
Coach: Scott Robertson
Captain: Sam Whitelock
Major signings: None
Major departures: Wyatt Crockett (Tasman), Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (Hurricanes), Pete Samu (Brumbies), Seta Tamanivalu (Bordeaux)
Squad
Sam Whitelock (c), Mike Alaalatoa, Harry Allan, Owen Franks, Oliver Jager, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Ben Funnell, Andrew Makalio, Codie Taylor, Scott Barrett, Luke Romano, Quinten Strange, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Dunshea, Billy Harmon, Tom Sanders, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, Whetu Douglas, Kieran Read, Mitchell Drummond, Ere Enari, Bryn Hall, Brett Cameron, Mitch Hunt, Richie Mo’unga, Tim Bateman, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Braydon Ennor, Leicester Faingaanuku, Will Jordan, Manasa Mataele, Ngane Punivai, Israel Dagg, David Havili.
Won 14, lost 2, finished first in the New Zealand Conference, first overall
Super Rugby’s most successful franchise added another chapter to their already sterling history book last year, bringing home a ninth title. By way of context, the Blues and Bulls are the next-most successful sides with three championships apiece.
The Crusaders went 14-2 in 2018 to secure top spot in the New Zealand conference and overall, and brought that same dominance to the finals.
They blew away the Sharks 40-10 in the quarter-finals, dispatched their main New Zealand rivals the Hurricanes 30-12 in the semis, and then coasted to a comfortable 37-18 victory over the Lions in the decider.
The only time all year the Crusaders looked vulnerable was when they inexplicably gave up a 29-point head start to the Waratahs – of course, they fought back and recorded one of the season’s most remarkable victories.
(MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images)
It would be far more concise to tell you what areas aren’t among the Crusaders’ strengths, because you’d only need one word: none.
The ‘Saders boast players of international quality in essentially every position, but this talent is most strongly concentrated in their pack, which virtually mirrors that of the All Blacks. Skipper Sam Whitelock, national counterpart Kieran Read, lock Scott Barrett, and front rowers Owen Franks, Joe Moody and Codie Taylor are all automatic picks in any New Zealand squad.
The forwards might be the obvious strength, the backs aren’t too shabby either; let’s not forget the Crusaders crossed for a competition-high 90 tries in 2018.
Perhaps they lack a little of the class the Hurricanes (TJ Perenara) and Highlanders (Aaron Smith) have at halfback, but the backline is still an impressive unit. There are plenty who think Richie Mo’unga is the best fly-half in New Zealand, while Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg and Jack Goodhue are all proven All Blacks.
To have national skipper Read in the squad alongside championship captain Whitelock gives the side a level of leadership and experience no other team in the world can match.
Even the odd injury or two here and there won’t phase them, as the squad has quality depth players just waiting for a crack.
The Crusaders are the sort of team where if you’re trying to find some weaknesses, you might well be desperate enough to google ‘What are the Crusaders’ weaknesses?’
Don’t feel bad – every coach in Super Rugby has probably done it at some stage over the past 24 months.
It is a World Cup year and that means the NZRU will be carefully managing the workloads of key players. Having so much of that international talent, the Crusaders may cop more of that inteference than most.
Other than that… erm. They have one less genuine home game due to hosting one in Fiji? They might finally get a bit complacent after back-to-back titles?
Neither seems likely to be an issue – we’re really clutching at straws here.
(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson comes out of contract at the end of this season and there’s a good chance he’ll be elsewhere in 2020 – perhaps he is a contender to be the next All Blacks coach, or maybe there’ll be a big offer from the northern hemisphere.
That being the case, you would expect he is extremely motivated to take this side to a three-peat and stamp his name as one of the greatest coaches in Super Rugby history.
The thing about the Crusaders is that they don’t just deserve title favouritism, they demand it. It’d be either a courageous man or a fool – perhaps both – to bet against them.
Prediction: First in the New Zealand Conference, first overall
1. Crusaders
2. Hurricanes
3. Lions
4. Highlanders
5. Chiefs
6. Rebels
7. Sharks
8. Waratahs
9. Jaguares
10. Brumbies
11. Bulls
12. Stormers
13. Blues
14. Reds
15. Sunwolves
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