Crusaders' stars need to get back into black

Jordan Taufua of the Crusaders makes a break during the round 15 Super Rugby match between the Waratahs and the Crusaders. File photo / Getty Images

The Crusaders' Super Rugby season has been a disappointment - a team with seven losses doesn't deserve to be in the playoffs.

But when you look at the personnel in that Crusaders side, would the All Blacks coaches be concerned about the number of All Blacks in such an under-performing side?

By my count there are 11 All Blacks in that team and they're not just fringe players. Many of them are the cornerstone of the pack and the backbone of the backline.

So how does Steve Hansen feel about that situation?

I'd compare it to the Frank Bunce syndrome. That's of no detriment to Buncey - he was an above-average provincial and Super Rugby player - but when he put that All Black jersey on he was world class.

There's no doubt he played his best rugby in the All Black jersey and, more importantly, in the All Black environment.

In a more recent case, look at Ma'a Nonu. This year he's playing outstandingly well at the Hurricanes, but previously he struggled in Super Rugby before returning to the All Blacks and being the best No12 in the world.

That goes to show what the All Blacks can do to certain players.

So is the Crusaders' form a major problem?

It's hardly ideal, because the All Black coaches would have wanted to see their players performing in as many high-intensity games as possible, but when you put an All Black jersey on them they become different players.

Richie McCaw, by his own admission, is not at the peak of his powers right now, but he grows exponentially when he gets an All Black jersey on.

Hansen knows that and he won't be concerned.

I actually think it's more a positive. If you look at the other side of the scenario, Hansen will have a lot more time than he ever has with those players.

The likes of McCaw, Dan Carter and Kieran Read have always been involved in the playoffs, so for once in Hansen's tenure he'll get an earlier opportunity to pick the brains of a good proportion of his senior players.

Secondly, he'll get some of the other All Blacks who don't normally feature in playoff rugby - like those at the Hurricanes - who will take the place the Crusaders usually hold in the finals, before heading into the All Black squad with a reinvigorated confidence.

Playing devil's advocate, you could argue about whether those guys deserve an All Black jersey in front of others in better form.

You'd have to say Sam Cane is in better form than McCaw, that Nasi Manu is out-playing Kieran Read, that Nehe Milner-Skudder has found more form than Israel Dagg.

There is merit to that argument, and I don't take umbrage with that. But I go back to my first point about what being in the All Blacks environment can do for individuals. Some people are advocates of picking only form players but I don't think that can be applied across the board.

Of course the biggest loser in all of this is the Crusaders. For them, with what they have facing them at the end of this campaign, with the exodus of players, Aaron Mauger leaving and speculation surrounding other coaches, the franchise probably couldn't be in a worse state.