Defending champs lose another All Black

Scott Robertson will be hoping to mastermind another win over the Blues.
Photo: John Davidson/ www.photosport.nz

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson believes the “Auckland-Canterbury rivalry” remains alive and well ahead of Friday’s Super Rugby semi-final between his side and the Blues.

This is despite the Crusaders recent dominance over their northern foes with the Christchurch based side winning 17 of the last 18 games between the two teams, including two this year,

Photo: www.photosport.nz / John Davidson

The Crusaders also boast a spotless playoff record on home turf, a narrative the visitors will strive to overturn in Friday night’s showdown at Orangetheory Stadium.

This imposing backdrop alone sets the Christchurch-based franchise up as firm favourites to book another grand final berth, during what will be the first ever Super Rugby semi final meeting between the two teams.

This is despite a campaign littered with never ending injury setbacks as the squad hobbles towards the competition business end.

If ever there was a time for the Blues to strike against the old enemy on their patch, there are few occasions where they are better positioned.

For the Crusaders players, they appear largely unperturbed at team naming on Wednesday, in response to some pre-match gamesmanship from Blues captain Dalton Papalii, who claimed there was “bad blood”.

Head coach Robertson believes the rivalry remains ablaze in the modern era.

“It’s got that feeling about it doesn’t it.

“It’s one of those games you want to play in…the rivalry, the history, the ocassion…it’s what Super Rugby needs.”

Much of the fervour for this particular matchup is determined by history.

“The beat us (last year in Christchurch) for the first time in many years,” Robertson said.

“That’s why the crowd turn up, we sold it out last time…they know.”

Robertson himself took the field when the Crusaders’ achieved their maiden Super Rugby triumph on Eden Park back in 1998, denying a star-studded Blues oufit a third consecutive championship.

In later years, the 2004 round robin classic at Lancaster Park is another famous reference point – the last time the Blues had tasted success in enemy territory until only last year.

The visitors overcame a 12 point halftime deficit to topple their rivals, with Carlos Spencer goading the Christchurch faithful by willfully placing his late try by the corner flag to put the game to bed.

Spencer then emphatically iced the conversion from the sideline, to deny the home side a bonus point, gesturing to the crowd in the process.

Recent history adds another intriguing component.

Although Leon MacDonald’s side ended their Christchurch drought during last year’s regular season, they were later outmuscled in the championship decider in Auckland.

Last month, the Crusaders prevailed 15-3 during a grinding duel which saw Papalii red carded.

Midfielder Jack Goodhue laughed off the Blues’ captain’s comments that there was supposed ill feeling.

“Hope it’s nothing personal,” he said.

“There is a rivalry, we went up to Eden Park last year and beat them and we beat them and that’ll be hurting them.”

Lock Quentin Strange, who retains a starting spot in the second row, said “that was their point of view”.

“We’re just there to do a job, we don’t look to the past.”

Strange said he had fond memories of Crusaders’ skipper Todd Blackadder lifting the Super Rugby trophy for the first time 25 years ago.

Blackadder’s son Ethan however will not be lining up on Friday, one of two injury-enforced changes to the Crusaders’ 23.

Ethan Blackadder.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The loose forward suffered another injury setback, a quad injury during Saturday’s quarter final win over the Drua now set to sideline the nine test All Black for several weeks.

His coach wouldn’t speculate on Wednesday whether he was likely to miss any of the All Blacks’ pre-World Cup test programme.

Sam Whitelock meanwhile has missed the race to be fit, casting further doubt on whether the veteran will savour a home swansong.

Fellow lock Zach Gallagher has also been added to the casualty ward.

Corey Kellow and Dominic Gardiner will both come off the bench.

-RNZ