Alapati Leiua of the Hurricanes is tackled by Luke Whitelock of the Crusaders during the round 17 Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Crusaders. Photo / Getty Images.
Never thought the Crusaders could play this badly. Not in a million years.
Fullback Tom Taylor, who seemed half asleep, was the worst of them in defeat to the Hurricanes, but he had good company.
There were disruptions. The just completed test series, Richie McCaw's absence, uncertainties over Kieran Read
and Dan Carter's readiness...was there a full moon with its eerie yellow glow aiming straight at Todd Blackadder's mob maybe?
The Crusaders used to set the standards but that was a long time ago. The Robbie Deans dynasty is a very distant memory, but how far have they truly fallen is the question going on this display.
Apart from a mighty scrum they lacked it all - cohesion, enthusiasm, a logical kicking game. You name it and they didn't have it. They were gun shy under the high ball.
