For many rugby purists, when you think of the Crusaders Super Rugby franchise, you see Championships. Multiple championships and trophies. In the nineties they began to accumulate silverware, and that continued into the new millennium but to be truthful, that has certainly dried up now. With longterm, successful players now reaching retirement [Richie McCaw] or playing offshore in Europe [Dan Carter] it means the Crusaders coaching panel prepare for ‘new combinations’.
That must be a very exciting prospect; the opportunity for several players to literally ‘put their hands up’ for selection. Some new faces will certainly pop-up in Red and Black this year, literally due to not only McCaw and Carter leaving huge holes but others like Colin Slade, Tom Taylor and Tyler Bleyendaal each left for Europe and Dominic Bird and Nepo Laulala shifted allegiance up to The Chiefs. That means we will see new first-fives, fullbacks, at lock and in the front row.
Many young and exciting players will debut in 2016–Marty McKenzie (Chiefs/Southland) and the flying Ben Volavola (Fiji/Waratahs) Sean Wainui (Taranaki) Mitchell Dunshea (Lincoln University Club/Canterbury) and Michael Alaalatoa (Waratahs/Tasman) just to name a few. Coach Todd Blackadder and his team have canvassed across New Zealand, Australia and further a field to bring together a team that [fans hope] will be competitive.
They must be in fact, because time is an enemy for an under performing side. Recent history has not been as gracious as those ‘glory years’ were, something this coaching group knew themselves as players, all too well. The assistant coaching panel includes Dave Hewitt, ‘lieutenant’ Tabai Matson and Aaron Mauger conducting and assembling this young talent who will lead a proud Crusaders group. That will give those men a good confidence to work as hard as they did on the field.
Blackadder, a holder of a special place in Canterbury rugby’s heart, has not been entirely successful in his tenure. This article is not based on that individual factor but at many professional sports organizations, they would have looked harder at the long years between trophies. His coaching input began in 2008, the last year that the region held a Super title and his first few seasons as Head Coach resulted in semifinal losses to The Bulls.
A side that were full of All Blacks could not pull together a full season. 2011 is remembered as one-game-too-far but you could say that for many Super teams. Many campaigns have not begun well, so they look to continually rise to meet the top sides. That takes a lot of energy, more than if you are enjoying a winning sequence; as the Hurricanes did in the 2016 regular season, and Blackadder will know that an early win against The Chiefs is first and foremost on the planning agenda. So, how can this franchise pull together after the loss of men who literally built the lustrous pedigree of this side?
Who has stayed?
It is not all bad though Crusaders fans. Wyatt Crocket has stayed for another record season–he is one of only two active players to have held any silverware. The strongman will be paired with World Cup winning props Owen Franks and Joe Moody, with new men Dunshea and Alaatoa working hard too for starting places. Competition in those key positions means we should see the best from the front row, as hooker Codie Taylor is really developing quickly and expect that unit to be the benchmark for all New Zealand Super Rugby scrums. Not excluding Luke Romano either, who should secure the locking role with Sam Whitelock. An impressive group still active on the roster wouldn’t you agree?
Just as players move on, players that stay are asked to offer more. Motivation from the coaching panel is crucial, so that begins with the leaders like skipper Kieran Read and the industrious Jordan Taufua. Big, fast men, each able to create forward progress while handling the pressure of both domestic and offshore rugby. Travel is a big factor still, and one man who has traveled far is Andy Ellis. None more so than he, because having a seasoned halfback is this franchises best asset. While he could not regain and All Blacks position, don’t let his 32 years of age fool you. He has much to offer and a good mentor for Mitchell Drummond.
Which brings us to the big guy. The Fijian player who is capable of magic and still has speed over some more junior backs. Nemani Nadolo is going to thrill again, as will Johnny McNichol (this player could gain higher honours if he sees the tryline more in 2016) Add into the mix the mercurial Israel Dagg and these men will link with Ryan Crotty in a solid combination. That might be an effective backline if the first-five role is decided and that player is given a good term to prove himself.
In Ben Volavola, Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach made a purchase that will likely return on investment, but could as easily fall over with the weight of pressure. Volavola looked under pressure at the Rugby World Cup, and seemed to crumble on occasion. Not a reflection on where he is now, both coaches Matson and Mauger need to prefect either Volavola or McKenzie as their man for the season.
McKenzie is a Southern Man, with roots in Southland as well as good behavior on the field. The more secure brother, he makes good choices and if he starts in February, then I advise don’t fall into the John Kirwan coaching playbook and switch between players constantly. Pick your man, and go with him (I say)
Crusaders Coaching Panel Prepare For New Combinations
On the conclusion of this years 17 week competition, many outcomes will be known. Where The Crusaders finally place will determine how the public react. They are key stakeholders and can’t be expected to withstand anything less than a top one or two positions in the NZ conference. That will also reflect in how the Board of Directors see results. Less patient then the public can be, how quickly they support or supplant this franchise is definitely an outcome that is assured.
By seasons end they will need to look at the Coaching role, as Todd Blackadder announced in November how he would step down come August. That change in guard is already set in concrete, a successor not yet but on a rugby field, the matter is up to fifteen men on either side. This group have it all in front of them.
They must work hard together, work on their unity and team character. No Read to start with will mean much is required from a leadership group of Jimmy Tupou, Sam Whitelock, Ellis, Crotty and Nadolo. If that axis works well, the Crusaders machine will kick into ‘another gear’. Not having two celebrated names in the side could be a blessing or a gift, but that is all up to the players foremost, as much as the Crusaders Coaching panel.
A proud tenure from Todd Blackadder ends this year too, and now might be the right time to aim for the top. To cement this franchises reputation yet again.
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The Crusaders begin the 2016 Super Rugby season by hosting The Chiefs on Saturday 27th February.
“Main photo”
