Experienced Crusaders Wyatt Crockett and Samuel Whitelock. Photo / Getty
In looking for crumbs of comfort before their team's Super Rugby final against the Lions at a hostile Ellis Park in far-flung Johannesburg, Crusaders' supporters could find hope in the result of the recent test series against the British & Irish Lions.
Not in the actions of referee Romain Poite
in the third, drawn, test at Eden Park which left the series as a disappointing stalemate, mind you.
The appointment of three South Africans and one New Zealander as match officials for Super Rugby's showpiece on Sunday morning NZT is a hot enough topic as it is without stirring up memories of Poite's decision to change his mind on the potentially match-winning penalty awarded to the All Blacks with a couple of minutes left in the test a few weeks ago.
No, a bigger-picture view is required, and it hinges on this: The Crusaders will have 12 All Blacks in their match-day squad of 23, including nine of their forwards. They will feel that they should have beaten Warren Gatland's outfit in that third test but for Poite's bizarre about-turn and their own wastefulness, particularly in the first half, and there will be added resolve to get the job done this time.
Who's to say whether that would have been different had they been successful? What is certain is that mental toughness and determination will be crucial if they are to win despite the disadvantage of having to travel from a wet and freezing Christchurch across the Indian Ocean to a warm and sunny Johannesburg situated at 1700m above sea level.
