The Crusaders 37-24 win over the Brumbies in Canberra over the weekend not only marked the end of their 2015 Super Rugby campaign, but more importantly marked the end of an era at the New Zealand Franchise and New Zealand Rugby as a whole.
Rugby greats Dan Carter and Richie McCaw donned the legendary red and black jersey for the final time as both are on the move out of New Zealand rugby, bringing to an end a span of rugby I have been privilege to witness.
Despite an early try to David Pocock to put the hosts in the lead, the Crusaders were not going to crack that easily with Nemani Nadolo touching down in the fifth minute to score a try in his fifth consecutive match.
Matt Todd joined Nadolo in this incredible feat when he found the try line in the 28th minute. Todd was the first forward in the competition to achieve this record.
Leading 21-10 at the break, the Brumbies came back fighting with a try from Jarrad Butler and a penalty try putting them within two points of the Crusaders. Captain McCaw was denied a try by referee Jaco Peyper, who instead awarded the Saders a penalty try of their own.
Carter’s golden boot kept them ahead however and secured a victory for his faithful team, highlighting what an asset he has been over the past decade one final time.
It seems almost an injustice that we are to be denied a chance to watch these two legends play in one final Super Rugby play-off round however the Crusaders themselves are to be blamed thanks to an inconsistent season and general poor performances in games they looked set to win.
Adding to the frustration is knowing that the Crusaders fielded 11 All Blacks in their final game and the result clearly speaks for itself. Taking injuries and rest games into consideration, it still seems baffling that this team make-up wasn’t implemented sooner in the competition, particularly in must win games.
Although the Crusaders won four of their final five games this season, it is impossible to ignore that there is clearly an underlining issue within the camp. Known for their slow campaign starts, it took far too long for them to find momentum in their plays and their inconsistent performances were a far cry from their championship winning team all those years ago.
It is easy to point fingers at bad refereeing (something I did do during their game against the Waratahs because it was blatantly obvious) but perhaps it is finally time for Coach Todd Blackadder to get the boot. This appears to be nowhere close to what is actually going to happen and even then, who would replace him?
While some will ponder such questions, the majority of us will look at the careers of two New Zealand masterminds and weep silently as they depart for the next chapter in their respective lives.
Carter has already announced his next rugby venture as he makes the move to Racing Metro after the World Cup in September while McCaw it set to retire. Both are able to leave boasting a number of milestones including four Super Rugby championship wins, a conference win in 2011 and a combined total of 286 appearances for the Canterbury side. Carter also holds the most points scored in the history of Super Rugby.
One thing is clear. These two players will forever go down as two of the greatest rugby players to ever play the game and we thank you for that.
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