(Reuters) – The Canterbury Crusaders, known as the giants of southern hemisphere provincial rugby, suffered a significant setback last weekend with their loss to Fijian Drua. The team is now facing the possibility of sinking to an unprecedented low if they cannot turn their season around in their upcoming matches. Over the last 30 years, the Christchurch-based team has established themselves as one of the most successful professional rugby teams globally, winning the last seven editions of Super Rugby.
However, their recent 20-10 defeat to Drua, along with losses in the first two rounds to the Waikato Chiefs and New South Wales Waratahs, has put them in a challenging position. Since the inaugural season of Super Rugby in 1996, the Crusaders have never lost three consecutive matches at the beginning of a season, let alone four in a row at any point in a campaign. Their next match at home will be a crucial test against the Wellington Hurricanes, the only unbeaten team in this season’s competition and the last team apart from the Crusaders to win an international edition of Super Rugby back in 2016.
The departure of head coach Scott Robertson to the All Blacks, as well as key players like Richie Mo’unga and Sam Whitelock to overseas clubs, has undoubtedly had an impact on the team. Additionally, the absence of Will Jordan, who is sidelined for the entire season due to shoulder surgery, has added to the challenges faced by the Crusaders. Despite their history of producing top talent to fill gaps left by departing players, this season has seen subpar performances in key areas such as lineout and breakdown work, as well as the emergence of unforced errors in their backline.
Coach Rob Penney, who took over from Robertson, acknowledged the team’s lack of cohesion after the loss to Drua, stating that they have been “clunky” in their performances so far this season. With their upcoming match against the Hurricanes marking their first home game of the season at Christchurch Stadium, Penney remains optimistic about the team’s potential. The squad still boasts quality players like Scott Barrett, a world-class lock and captain, as well as standout performers like winger Sevu Reece and newcomer Levi Aumua, who was highly regarded for his performances with Moana Pasifika last year.
The Crusaders have a history of defying the odds, whether it be during a slump in form or in the dying moments of a game. Despite their recent struggles, counting them out prematurely has proven to be a risky proposition. As they prepare to face the Hurricanes, the team will be looking to bounce back and showcase their resilience in front of their home fans. (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Peter Rutherford)
