Cross-training schedule primes Crusaders for battle

Basketball dominated the sporting landscape for those Crusaders who started their Super 12 training before Christmas.

Mixed in with that cross-training schedule were kayaking stints, abseiling days and time spent trying to master the demands of waterpolo.

Each season, the trick for franchise fitness trainers is to come up with an array of games and programmes which build the players' condition and skills without burdening them with too much rugby.

For several years the Crusaders used korfball as one of their core competitions but they switched to basketball this year and also increased the workload on those who were not on All Black recuperation.

"We had two groups to deal with and we put the volumes up for those we started with in December and they handled it very well," coach Robbie Deans said.

"Five years ago they would not have coped so that has to be one of the benefits we are seeing from the academy we are running down here.

"Then we decided to add a third trial fixture this year which was tough on a lot of the senior guys who did not rejoin us from the All Blacks until February 1.

"We wanted to do that to try and get a better start to the Super 12 than we have had in the past. We knew it would be a bit of a risk with the injury toll but we felt it was necessary to hit the ground running this time."

The Crusaders also reduced the bonding sessions or training camps they have used to telling effect in other years.

With only four matches in Christchurch in this final Super 12 season and most of the squad very familiar with each other, the Crusaders decided to spend as much off-season time as they could at home.

The entire squad also trained as reading recovery teachers with the College of Education and yesterday had their first interactive sessions with children from schools the players had nominated.

The 'Making a Difference' programme had received huge support from the region's schools, children had the incentive to try harder while the players also felt a keen sense of achievement.

There are nine changes from the 2004 squad but many of the 'new' faces like Greg Feek, Rico Gear, Leon MacDonald and Norm Maxwell had been with the Crusaders before or, like Tone Kopelani or Kevin O'Neill, with Canterbury.

They have also been favoured with the return of draft players Tony Koonwaiyou and Ross Filipo.

The Crusaders have also managed to hire Vern Cotter for his coaching skills and the expertise which helped thrust Bay of Plenty into the NPC playoffs last season.

Cotter will bring fresh ideas and a different perspective which should further stimulate the Crusaders in their drive for a fifth Super 12 title. The new coaching triangle is completed by Rob Penney who will be responsible for tactics and video analysis of the opposition strategies.

As they head into tomorrow's start against the Brumbies in what is a replay of last year's final, the injury toll is easing for the Crusaders and they have been able to welcome home MacDonald from Japan.

But after this weekend they will lose Andrew Mehrtens to the tsunami charity match while Mose Tuiali'i, Johnny Leo'o, Feek, Scott Hamilton and Maxwell will still be unlikely starters for round two.

Much has been written and said about Deans' previous reluctance to use Mehrtens and the first five eighths selection quandaries he would face with Mehrtens and Daniel Carter this season.

But it was clear from Dean's comments that Mehrtens and others had benefited from a lengthy preparation this time and were in better shape than some of the All Blacks.

"It is like Carlos Spencer," Deans said. "Both he and Mehrts have had an off-season, while their rivals do not get the base work in, they get run-down in their conditioning through giving service to their country and in that way they eventually suffer."

Halfback Justin Marshall will be another who should be primed for this campaign and some possible battles against the Lions, after being left behind on the All Blacks tour to Europe.

The greatest loss for the Crusaders is Brad Thorn's return to the Brisbane Broncos. But there are high hopes for the emergence of the massive Kevin O'Neill while Maxwell could be ready for round three.

O'Neill has the frame at 2.01m and 114kgs to match senior teammate Chris Jack and there are high hopes for his contribution as there are for wing Vilimoni Delasau who was a sensation on the world sevens circuit with his speed and balance.

Being champions four times and runners-up twice, the Crusaders have the pedigree and depth of players to once more give the Super 12 a shake.

Deans said the competition had become closer and thought the South African sides would be better again, especially the Stormers.

"It is a long-distance campaign, a thinking man's game and we are ready to go, too."

VITAL STATS

Titles: Titles: 4, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002

Finals: 6

Worst finish: 12th in 1996

Biggest win: 96-19, v Waratahs 2002

Biggest loss: 52-16, v Reds, 1996

Backs

Leon MacDonald (Canterbury)

Scott Hamilton (Canterbury)

Rico Gear (Nelson Bays)

Caleb Ralph (Canterbury)

Tony Koonwaiyou (Auckland)

Vilimoni Delasau (Canterbury)

Casey Laulala (Canterbury)

Aaron Mauger (Canterbury)

Daniel Carter (Canterbury)

Andrew Mehrtens (Canterbury)

Justin Marshall (Canterbury)

Jamie Nutbrown (Canterbury)

Forwards

Sam Broomhall (Canterbury)

Mose Tuiali'i (Canterbury)

Johnny Leo'o (Canterbury)

Richie McCaw (capt, Canterbury)

Sam Harding (Canterbury)

Reuben Thorne (Canterbury)

Ross Filipo (Wellington)

Chris Jack (Canterbury)

Kevin O'Neill (Canterbury)

Norm Maxwell (Canterbury)

Campbell Johnstone (Canterbury)

Greg Somerville (Canterbury)

Greg Feek (Canterbury)

Dave Hewett (Canterbury)

Tone Kopelani (Canterbury)

Corey Flynn (Canterbury)