Rugby: Crusaders' challenge to keep up commitment

Kieran Read will return to action this week. Photo / Getty Images

Apart from their slip-up to the Blues at Eden Park at the start, winning away this season hasn't been an issue for the Crusaders, who extended their good form on the road in the closest of finishes against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

That loss in Auckland is their sole away reverse. Their record at home this season, though, has been a problem for Todd Blackadder's men, who have clawed their way to the top of the New Zealand Conference and third overall following Saturday's 32-30 victory in the deep south.

They have lost to the Chiefs, Hurricanes and a 14-man Sharks at AMI Stadium thus far. Their 40-20 win over the Brumbies, who at that stage were well in the playoffs mix, stands out like a beacon. The other, a 14-13 win over the Stormers, wasn't anywhere near as convincing.

Their challenge, this week, then, is to bring the commitment and energy they showed against the Highlanders back to their headquarters for the match against the Force, a team having their best season, with eight wins, the same number as the Crusaders.

Helping them will be the expected return, finally, of All Black No8 Kieran Read from his concussion and flu.

Read's return will be a big boost, but just as important will be the mental approach of the Crusaders, who were ferocious at times at the breakdown against the Highlanders.

"That is the challenge," Blackadder said. "If we take them [Force] lightly or if the boys have their heads on the test match the following week [against England] then we will be back down where we were."

One of the reasons why Blackadder selected his "second-string" front row of Tim Perry, Ben Funnell and Nepo Laulala for the Dunedin match ahead of All Blacks Wyatt Crockett, Corey Flynn and Owen Franks was because of last week's All Black training camp in Christchurch.

All three of the youngsters exceeded Blackadder's expectations, with Perry and Laulala scoring tries.

Another who put in an eye-catching performance was fullback Israel Dagg.

Rested against the Sharks, he was full of energy on attack and, while he missed a tackle on Patrick Osborne in the first half, he made up for it with his heroics against the same player as the hooter sounded.

"He was outstanding," Blackadder said.

"We got the balance right in our game plan. We kicked too much against the Sharks when there were opportunities, but against the Highlanders we made good intelligent decisions and Israel was a big part of that."