Crusaders' turn to apologise

 

It was Pat Lambie, and then Gary Gold, who publicly apologised to the Kings Park faithful for the Sharks after a drubbing received at the hands of the New Zealanders.

 

This time around, Crusaders assistant coach Aaron Mauger has said that it hurt to see people walk out of their game against the Chiefs last weekend.

 

Fans streamed out of AMI Stadium before the final whistle in their 9-26 defeat at the hands of the Chiefs.

 

Mauger said that, coupled with some angry posts on social media, really affected the team.

 

"We love the people that we represent and we know that they love our team," the coach told Radio Sport NZ

 

"That's probably why they walked out – they were disappointed and it hurt them to see that."

 

The champions of old are languishing in fourth in the New Zealand Conference, 10th overall, six points off the play-off spot.

 

Their attack has been well below par but Mauger has said they know their systems work.

 

"We're not in a great position at the moment but we truly believe we can get ourselves out of it. 

 

"If we take that game by game approach and just nail each performance we'll give ourselves a chance to do that."

 

Mauger says Ryan Crotty will be available to play the Blues on Saturday but Israel Dagg is still a week away.