Crusaders 'buzzing' as SA tour looms
The Crusaders have not only managed to put their campaign back on track, they are heading to South Africa confident they can start a winning streak that will make them championship contenders.
After beating the Blues in Week One, the seven-time champions went three weeks without a win, before holding off in the face of a late charge by the Cheetahs at their new stadium in Christchurch at the weekend.
That 28-21 win was just the right tonic ahead of their road trip – which will see them tackle the Lions in Johannesburg and the Bulls in Pretoria, before returning home to host the Stormers at the new Christchurch Stadium.
Head coach Todd Blackadder said the team is still “buzzing” from the electric atmosphere at their first outing at the revamped venue – when they beat the Cheetahs at the stadium previously known as Rugby League Park.
“You couldn’t help but be swept up in the emotion of the occasion,” he said – thanking the Crusaders’ fans for a home-coming to remember, after playing their first game in Christchurch since May 2010.
“It’s been far too long since we’ve played in front of a true home crowd and we were very quickly reminded why they call it a ‘home advantage’ when we saw the sea of red and black and heard the roar of the crowd,” Blackadder added.
While the trip to the Republic will by no means be a walk in the park, Blackadder is confident his men are on the right track.
“We are off to South Africa now for our next two games abroad, so that has to be our focus for the next fortnight.
“But there is no denying that every single one of us will be looking forward to the next chance we get to play surrounded by our fans back home.”
Crusaders Chief Executive Hamish Riach also spoke about the “momentous” occasion at the weekend and said was more than they could have hoped for.
“From the stunning, balmy weather to the magnificent stadium, and of course the win, it was a home-coming party beyond our imagination. But it is the fans more than anything who made it a night to remember.
“With 15,000 Crusaders flags in the stands waving and 17,500 rugby fans cheering, the Crusaders could not have been made to feel more welcome in their new home stadium. I want our fans to know how sincerely we appreciate that,” Riach said.
Crusaders squad: Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Zac Guilford, Tyler Bleyendaal, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Luke Whitelock, Samuel Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Quentin MacDonald, Wyatt Crockett, Tom Donnelly, Nic Barrett, Willie Heinz, Dan Carter, Tom Taylor, George Whitelock, Ross Kennedy, Tom Marshall, Adam Whitelock.
