Crusaders keep on top by adapting

Reuben Thorne. Adam Pretty / Getty Images

The Crusaders and Super 12 go together like bread and butter.

It just feels like the natural order of rugby.

That impression is confirmed by the records, which show the Crusaders as five-time champions and twice runners-up in the decade of competition.

By any standards it is a phenomenal achievement, a record that is even more remarkable after the franchise finished stone motherless last in year one.

After that debut season, the questions were all about how the Crusaders could rise from the ruins.

Now the inspection is all about the secrets of success and how they keep refreshing the winning mix.

After the horrors of their opening season, the Crusaders ended the Super 12 with an emphatic march through the playoffs.

Their attacking edge was high class while they tightened their defence in the last few weeks of the competition to nail a further title.

Some of the side's nucleus has gone - Justin Marshall, Andrew Mehrtens, Dave Hewett - and others will have to reproduce that authority.

The greatest shock will be if there is no response.

"We just adapt and deal with reality. Our preparation is all about dealing with circumstances," coach Robbie Deans said.

The Crusaders' luxury is they have quality players throughout the squad who have loads of experience of this competition.

They may have less time to prepare as a group each season, because of the late arrival of their All Blacks, but they can draw on a huge core of rugby knowledge.

Former internationals Corey Flynn, Campbell Johnstone, Casey Laulala, Bradley Mika, Caleb Ralph, Kevin Senio, Greg Somerville and Reuben Thorne missed the All Black tour and could guide the newcomers and set the tone before Christmas.

When the All Blacks returned for the late January pre-season trip to Australia, they could fit into a well-grounded squad.

"The reality is you have to make the most of what you have got, what cards you are dealt," said Deans.

"There is a lot of onus on the staff to be astute with the time and the work.

"It is no different from other years. It is all part of the territory."

It is a simple strategy, an uncomplicated philosophy that, in view of the results, is hard to argue against.

There is more to it of course, but the Crusaders are not prone to unveiling too much about their methods.

They prepare for the grind of a long campaign, and they understand the beauty of incremental progress rather than fluctuating brilliance.

The Crusaders need to lay down a strong opening marker as they play four of their first six games at home while, like the Chiefs, they play just two games in South Africa.

"There are so many uncertainties. It is hard to know how this new competition will pan out," Deans said.

"We know we have a short turnaround for a few games, but we hope it will be a 16-week competition for us."

On the evidence of their recent record - they have been finalists or champions since 2002 - it would be foolish to bet against a repeat.


Key asset

Reuben Thorne
1.92m, 109kg

The 31-year-old is touted by insiders as the player who sets the benchmark standards for the champions. May lack a touch of pace, dexterity and ball-carrying crunch but is a consistent performer with his defence, lineout skills, leadership and work rate.

The former All Black captain needs two more games to join the small group who have played 100 Super matches. Could yet be switched to lock if the Crusaders want to increase the mobility of their loose trio.

98 Super caps. 

 
The squad

Backs: Leon MacDonald, Scott Hamilton, Steven Yates, Rico Gear, Tony Koonwaiyou, Caleb Ralph, Casey Laulala, Aaron Mauger, Cameron McIntyre, Daniel Carter, Kevin Senio, Andrew Ellis.

Forwards: Mose Tuiali'i, Bradley Mika, Richie McCaw (capt), Tanerau Latimer, Johnny Leo'o, Reuben Thorne, Chris Jack, Ross Filipo, Kevin O'Neill, Craig Clarke, Campbell Johnstone, Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, Tone Kopelani, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks. 

Crusaders

The exit of Justin Marshall offers Kevin Senio a massive chance to re-state his credentials as an international halfback. If he re-creates some of the command Marshall brought, then the Crusaders will be a major tournament threat again.

The Crusaders' top side looks commanding, but underneath you have to question the backup at loosehead prop, openside, halfback and first five-eighths.

They are the only NZ side with a 12-16 backs-forwards split. Does that signal a worry about their forward strength or wisdom about the attrition rate on the pack?

For some time Caleb Ralph has wanted to play centre. He gets his chance now ahead of Casey Laulala, but there may be questions about the creativity of both players in that position.

You wonder if the familiar voice of Robbie Deans - coach since 2000 and manager before that - will eventually fail to spark the Crusaders.

New Zealand and the national selectors will hold their breath about the welfare of openside flanker Richie McCaw as the countdown to the next World Cup takes shape.

Will Campbell Johnstone's "best right shoulder" in the land be noticed again, can Bradley Mika get a start at loose forward, will Aaron Mauger cope with the increasing competition for his test jersey and can Kevin O'Neill push his huge frame into any fringe test group?