The Crusaders have won two from four games so far this Super Rugby season, leaving them second in the New Zealand conference. Neither win was convincing, and in each game they have played, there has been one worrying trend. The backs just aren’t firing.
As well as being known for their defense, the Crusaders have long been known for the calibre of their backs, in particular, their outside backs. In 2014 however, something is amiss in the back half of the Crusaders pack, and what it comes down to for me, is a lack of cohesion. For any team to succeed they need to play cohesively as a team, and also in their individual positional combinations. The Crusaders forwards are improving on a weekly basis and are beginning to work cohesively together, but sadly the same cannot be said for the backs.
Each week the line up changes, each week players are switched between one position and the next… and it is this chopping and changing which is preventing any cohesion. As an example, Colin Slade has been played at fullback and at first five, Ryan Crotty has been played at second five and at centre, Israel Dagg has been played at fullback and on the wing, and Tom Taylor has been played at first five and second five.
One position in particular that seems to be causing problems for the Crusaders, is the wing. No player has really stood up and grabbed that starting jersey, but how can a player stand out when they are playing one week, and not the next? How can a player impress when he starts one week, and then starts off the bench the following week? Yes, the configuration of the Crusaders backs has changed between 2013 and 2014, with players coming and going, but surely pre-season gave the coaching staff an idea of who should be starting, and where?
Obviously a lot goes on behind the scenes that the general public aren’t aware of or privy to. That said, it seems like Todd Blackadder and the rest of the Crusaders coaching staff are using the first few rounds of the Super Rugby season to help determine their starting combinations when, really, shouldn’t that have happened during pre-season? Blackadder made a point of saying the Crusaders weren’t going to leave their training base during pre-season, so they could concentrate on getting ready for the Super Rugby season. Knowing that, one would expect their performance and preparedness early on in the regular season to reflect that.
It doesn’t, though. If anything the Crusaders preparedness and performance have been lacking, to the point that even the most dedicated Crusaders supporters are scratching their heads and looking confused.
What do I think they need to do to turn things around?
First of all, bring back Zac Guildford. I do not understand why it is he hasn’t even made it to the bench this season, but with the situation as dire as it is in the backs, surely his experience would give them a boost? When I see testimony like this “Terrific speed, an impressive work rate and a knack for finding the gap make winger Guildford an important asset to the Crusaders” appearing on the Crusaders’ own website, I really have to wonder what is going on behind the scenes to prevent Guildford from getting any game time. If he is an ‘important asset to the Crusaders’, then why isn’t he playing? Perhaps it is time to introduce a new hashtag… #bringbackZac!
The second thing I think needs to happen involves Guildford’s good mate, Israel Dagg. STOP PUTTING HIM ON THE WING! It makes me feel uncomfortable watching Dagg on the wing, and I cannot put my finger on the reason why… he just doesn’t play to his potential when he is stuck on the wing! Leave Dagg out of the team if he is under-performing, just DON’T put him on the wing as some sort of punishment!
Thirdly, Nemani Nadolo needs to be given some decent time on the field to show what he can do. We need the power and speed that he possesses… we need something magical, because that is what our outside backs are lacking. Nadolo is no stranger to top level rugby, and I think the backs as a (whole, cohesive) unit could really benefit from his addition to the starting line up.
Number four on my list of ‘how to change things around’ is to leave Ryan Crotty, aka the #beardofawesome, at centre. His performances are far more impressive and thorough when he is playing in the 13 jersey!
The Crusaders game against the Rebels this past weekend was their best performance of the season, but it was by no means impressive, nor was it complete. They were however the closest they have been to appearing to have their backs in the right positions. Slade looked better at first five than he has at fullback. Tom Taylor was more convincing at second five than he has been at first five. Ryan Crotty played better at centre, rather than second five. Israel Dagg performed better and looked more comfortable at fullback rather than on the wing.
It is my belief that when the Crusaders finally get their wing combination sorted, THEN we will finally see the Crusaders we all love (or love to hate). And just what IS the combination that is going to light up the backline? First of all the two players are going to actually need to make it on the field, but I strongly believe that Guildford and Nadolo are it!
The Crusaders have a bye this weekend, so it will be another nine or ten days until the next Crusaders squad is named, but it is my hope when that does happen, the backs will be listed in this order:
- Andy Ellis
- Colin Slade
- Zac Guildford
- Tom Taylor
- Ryan Crotty
- Nemani Nodolo
- Israel Dagg
Only time will tell if I am right, I guess!
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