Razor's Crusaders too sharp for Chiefs in semifinal

HOME GROWN: Mount Maunganui's Scott Robertson has guided the Crusaders to the final in his first year at the helm. PHOTO: photosport

In their heyday winning a record seven Super Rugby titles, there was a ruthlessness to the Crusaders that made them so difficult to beat.

Their attack has always been top class but it was their relentless defence that broke down opposition teams.

Under coach Robbie Deans, they were almost impenetrable and were happy to let the opposition have the ball. There was a real in-built arrogance that whatever the opposition threw at them it would not be good enough.

They soaked up phase after phase then, when the inevitable turnover happened, they attacked with gusto against the run of play to plunder points.

But, after winning a record seventh title in 2008, there has been no further joy for the Crusaders in the intervening years under the coaching of Todd Blackadder.

The defence-oriented Crusaders had been left behind by the dynamic attacking style of the Chiefs, Highlanders and Hurricanes - and sometimes the Blues.

Then along came Scott "Razor" Robertson.

In his first season in charge, he has brought back the fear factor for teams going to play in that unwelcoming, draughty environment which is post-earthquakes AMI Stadium.

Robertson is like no other coach you are likely to meet, but similar to most surfies along Oceanbeach Rd, which is where he grew up - not much further than an Israel Dagg clearing punt from Blake Park.

He spent his early years either surfing or playing rugby with the Mounties at Blake Park and, after starting with the Steamers, he made his name in Canterbury and became Mount Maunganui College's second All Black.

On Saturday night, Razor masterminded the defeat of the Chiefs in the Super Rugby semifinal in Christchurch.

Despite having barely 30 per cent possession, the Crusaders suffocated the dazzling Chiefs plays and easily won the match in the end. Typically, it was not pretty, but mighty effective rugby.

It was a masterful game plan from an insightful character who is as far removed from the po-faced image of the All Blacks coaches as is possible to find.

As much as it hurt to see a Chiefs team with Bay of Plenty players Nathan Harris, Sam Cane, Liam Polwart and Aidan Ross knocked out of the final, I am so happy for Razor.

But the reward for losing just one game all season and being the best team in Australasia is to have to travel to Johannesburg to play the Lions in the final. Hardly fair.

I could fill the rest of today's sports section with what is wrong with the Super Rugby competition.

Let's just say greed for television income has forced administrators to take the best rugby competition in the world and reduce it to a farce. Adding extra teams has watered down the competition and lost fans in their droves.

Good luck in the final next Sunday, Razor.

I am sure some of your old surfing mates will be thinking of you when they cross the sand dunes with that glint in their eye heading for the waves.