Brian Ashby: Crusaders back on upward swing

Tom Taylor of the Crusaders is tackled by Gareth Anscombe (R) of the Chiefs as Dominic Bird (L) of the Crusaders looms in support. Photo / Getty Images.

Thirteen consecutive seasons in the playoffs is something to celebrate.

In a campaign where the Crusaders have possibly dished out more reasons for frustration than celebration, last weekend's win over the Blues saw the form pendulum back on the upward swing.

Coach Blackadder generally gets it right when it comes to managing work loads. He copped plenty last week for not starting Read, Carter and Franks. Post match on Saturday evening, both Read and Carter were adamant that the coach had got it right, and both are now looking like they're ready to do the business.

Even running Carter at 12 worked well, but given the Crusaders dwindling resources, Blackadder's hand was forced, in spite of Colin Slade's solid form. Although if Slade continues to lead with his chin at tackle time, Carter might be back at first five sooner rather than later.

It's fair to says that I wasn't the only one thinking "game over" when Sam Whitelock's late withdrawal with a calf strain was confirmed. Up until last week, Whitelock had started every match for the Crusaders along with three tests for the All Blacks.

He'd been superb and I certainly wasn't the only journo questioning whether or not time out would be a wise move. But then so were the Crusaders coaching staff. Whitelock was on light duties. Ahead of the Hurricanes game, he didn't appear at training until the Thursday and even then, the scrum machine was off limits.

It was a similar scenario last week. Minor calf tweaks turned into bigger dramas for both Luke Romano and Matt Todd earlier in the season, so resting Whitelock was a no-brainer in the end. It's paid dividends too, with him back again for Saturday night.

But last weekend it was a case of 'step up Jimmy Tupou'. I'm feeling a tad guilty that I placed such little faith in the Counties Manukau 21 year old. Superb on the carry and reliable at lineout time- the young man who only debuted in round 16 last year really made the most of his opportunity.

So largely speaking, while some fans would happily see key players run into the ground, the coaching staff seem to manage the loads appropriately. For me though, there are two players have haven't been given a fair go in 2014. Wing has been a problem all year.

Even with transplanted Kieron Fonotia running there, it gives a very cut and paste feel to the backline. If physical presence and solid defence are seen as key attributes, then it's hard to work out why there is still a reluctance to select the reliable and experienced Adam Whitelock. I can' help thinking that A.W will be the second of the brothers to head offshore.

The treatment of Tom Taylor is even more puzzling. Twelve months ago he skilfully helped steer the All Blacks to a Bledisloe Cup win from first five. Ever solid and ever reliable, the dependable and versatile Taylor consistently showed that there was more to his game than just good DNA. So with Dan Carter up on blocks and Colin Slade out injured, it seemed like a done deal that Tom Taylor would start at ten for the Crusaders in the opening rounds this year. Didn't it ? Well not in the eyes of the Crusaders coaching staff. To be fair, Tyler Bleyendaal had played a very good ITM Cup campaign for Canterbury, but Taylor's 2013 wasn't exactly shabby.

The hot and cold Bleyendaal struggled early on and the Crusaders suffered first up losses to the Chiefs and the Blues. Suddenly Taylor had to step in at ten- a position he hadn't even played in the preseason games. Hung out to dry. He's been shunted all around the backline this year, but until his cameo off the bench last weekend, he's looked well down on confidence and has been a shadow of the player he was last year.

Still for all that, and with the exception of the injured Richie McCaw , the Crusaders are in pretty reasonable shape a week out from the playoffs. Fans talk about how good the Crusaders are at this time of the year. Its a fallacy. They're great at making the playoffs, but since their last triumph in 2008, this is the time of the year when the wheels come unstuck. The challenge is very clear.