AUDIO: Cape Crusaders excite Robertson
REACTION: Every Crusaders’ visit to Newlands could arguably be branded as just an extra home game for the New Zealand side.
The Crusaders, fresh from a 45-13 win over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, head to Cape Town to face the struggling Stormers side in Round 14 on Saturday.
With the Crusaders oozing with confidence, aided by their vigorous support – in the form of the Cape Crusaders – scenes could get really ugly for the home side.
There are numerous reasons for the huge quantity of support for the Kiwi team. One of them is politically motivated. People decided to boycott the Stormers and Springboks during the apartheid years and opted to adopt the Crusaders and New Zealand as the team of choice.
While, other fanatics, particularly in the modern-day era, support the side simply because of the type of rugby New Zealand franchise produced.
Whatever the reasons behind the massive passion for the Crusaders, one thing is certain you must silence them with on-field action and success.
Which is easier said than done, especially based on past results between the two teams. The last time the Crusaders visited Newlands was in 2013 where they recorded a narrow 19-14 win.
And in 2018 the nine-time Champions marched to a 45-28 win over Robbie Fleck’s men at Christchurch.
The Cape Crusader will certainly play a vital role which is always an enjoyable element, Scott Robertson revealed.
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“We’ve got a great support base down there [in Cape Town],” Robertson told reporters after the win at Loftus.
“2013 was the last time since we been there so it’s been a while.
“Think as a group there are a few conversations to have before Saturday. It will be a big start to the week but it’s enjoyable that side,”
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Crusaders are on top of the overall Super Rugby table and well on their way to retain the Super Rugby title with home fixtures against the Blues and Melbourne Rebels.
The only team likely to top the Crusaders with 47 points are second-placed Hurricanes, who have 40 points.
However, Robertson has shrugged off suggestions that the title is in the bag and have urged his team to improve on a weekly basis.
“The Hurricanes are right there as well keeping us honest,” Robertson told reporters.
“Think every game of rugby is different. Just look what happened last week [during the 21-all draw against Sharks in Christchurch] things change pretty quickly.
He explained: “Injuries can change the course of the season, so you need to keep on with your depth keep player rotation keep getting better in different areas,”
By Josh Isaacson
@isaacson_j
@rugby365com
