- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
As I watched the Crusaders sink to inevitable defeat down by ten points late against the Fijian Drua, I wondered what’s the future?
As a Crusaders fan, I have enjoyed six years of luxury. And while I am a Crusaders fan, I don’t think it is a biased statement to say that Scott Robertson was for those six years, the best club coach in the world. But now a Razorless, Mo’ungaless, Taylorless, Whitelockless ‘Saders – not to mention all the other departures – have left the team in a different state.
While much is often made about the dominance of the Crusaders, winning 14 Super Rugby championships (I have included the two Super Rugby Aotearoa championships), it hasn’t always been consistent. Instead, it has been in two dynasties, led by world-class coaches: Wayne Smith, Robbie Deans and Scott Robertson.
Watch every match of Super Rugby Pacific ad-free, live & on demand on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport
Todd Blackadder, while getting close twice, never won during his tenure (2008-2016).
Now the question must be asked about the future of the ‘new’ Crusaders, which way will they go? The optimist in me says these losses are to the same teams as last year, and injuries have flooded the team so the No.10 spot has been thrust upon someone inexperienced in Taha Kemara, whose only résumé is five caps for Waikato.
Vilive Miramira of the Fijian Drua runs with the ball. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)
But this feels different. Richie Mo’unga’s first season saw him become the starter due to a mass exodus at the fly-half position, with Dan Carter and Colin Slade both leaving. While far from perfect in the first year, the potential was evident. Kemara is just a bit too young to lead, to grow as a player.
Just like their jerseys, the Crusaders are different, they have to be after the players they lost. But can they be different and still be a serious threat?
If they can make it to the quarter-finals, with key pieces returning into the team and becoming more familiar with the new system, they could be threatening to their opponents, but can they even make it into the quarter-finals?
Looking down the barrel, they have three hard matches where they can’t be favoured to win in any. While a tour of Australia might provide the opportunity to build wins, the final stretch could see the need for a bit of luck to come their way.
Whether or not they can have success later in the season, one thing is clear, the Crusaders have entered a new chapter in their history and it doesn’t look for the better.
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.