This is an interesting article I found written by a Rugby Haven rugby writer. This is what he had to say about the Crusaders recent form.
By MARC HINTON
The Crusaders can still save their Super 14 season – but only if they quit the whining and start indulging in some brutal honesty.
It’s been a shock for someone who’s always been an admirer of this staunch southern franchise to listen to the way they’ve reacted to a second straight defeat on tour that’s put their now customary place in the playoffs under a massive threat.
Instead of buckling down and addressing their key issues after they copped a 42-14 lesson from the Stormers at the weekend, following on from their flat-out inept performance in Perth, all we seem to have heard is what a hard time they’re getting from the referee.
Well, boo-hoo, and someone pass me the tissues.
Reality check time. The Crusaders didn’t lose to the Force because they were picked on by the ref. They lost because they dropped ball, missed tackles, failed to execute accurately at the set piece and played like headless chooks.
And they certainly didn’t lose to the Stormers at the weekend – hang on, lose is probably being too kind, they were walloped – because Stuart Dickinson didn’t give them a fair go at the breakdown.
Though that’s what the Crusaders brains trust have been trying to sell in the aftermath of their Cape Town stumble.
It’s to be hoped this is just a smokescreen for some serious work going on behind the scenes addressing an array of shortcomings.
For if that’s not the case, the Crusaders’ run of eight straight playoff appearances, and 11 in the last 12 seasons, is about to come to a shuddering halt.
I guess it’s fashionable these days to blame the referees. Everyone’s been doing it this year, from Pat Lam to Matt Giteau to now Todd Blackadder.
You’ve got to blame someone I guess when your team loses, and sometimes, for whatever reason, people are reluctant to point the finger too close to home. At least publicly.
Refs are an easy target and a fortnight ago Steve Walsh proved just that when he appeared to lose control of a fairly heated match between the Waratahs and Brumbies in Sydney. The rights and wrongs of Giteau’s pointed public response can be debated endlessly, but the reality was the Brums got the raw end of a pretty average performance from Walsh.
Still saying they are not the team of yesteryear, still got quality players, can be very competitive and cause upsets !!!
Rugby wise the Saders were pretty average this year – what kept them winning was their aura – but in the business end teams dont pay much attention to that anymore.
That said, I think the Saders will come out blazing tomorrow night.
3 – Morne, I think so too but will come unstuck I feel.
Puma,
I think this will be the Bulls toughest match this year…
Hi Morne,thanks for your comments last night,was some real food for thought..
Hi Winston,
No probs hey – we are all just rugby supporters trying to find the best solutions to the game we all love. Even helping the Lions out of kak!
Morne,one thing I have learned in life is that God helps those who helps themselves,not sure if the Lions want help or even think they need it..
5 – Morne, could be but think it was the Blues game where they lost. Remember too although they beat the Sharks that was a very physical game and bodies must be sore.
Still think Bulls will win this one.
Morne, Actually think the Bulls toughest game at home came from the Canes. That was a brutal game too.
Yes Morne , thanks for your insights again yesterday, only got to read them late last night…
Now one last thing….
Please tell me you picked the Saders on superbru !!! 😆
Winston I made the comment on another blog that from my personal experience, it is not through a lack of trying or passion that the Lions find themselves where they are.
You have some really decent blokes in that union, guys with the best interests at heart for the union, its players and its clubs – believe me if we hate where the Lions are at the moment the guys involved must be suicidal at the moment.
From where I sit, these guys are simply not given the right tools to do a proper job, or the right environment is not created for everything to fall together and get all the pieces of the puzzle fitting together.
Hiring and firing is not the answer, and honest assessment of where they are, what challenges they face, and getting down knuckle-hard and dirty is what is needed for them. But it all starts with plain honesty.
We can shout as much as we want, they can hire and fire coaches as much as they want, it will sort nothing out.
Get rid of the elements (either individuals or structures) that has caused, or keeps causing this situation and get off your ass and do some hard honest graft.
There is no lack of passion from people inside and outside, and I know of people that will help out for free to help this union but currently would not touch it with a barge-pole because of elements involved in the union.
The Bulls managed just this and it started in the boardroom for them 7 years ago, the same needs to happen at the Lions.
One thing that stands out for me is that the Stormers seem to be focussing more on the Bulls game than the depleted Sharks ahead of them that most think will be a walk in the park…
Ok maybe more from the supporters side…
Stormers should win, but have you guys ever thought of a thing like injuries to key players etc.
Still a weekend of ruggas for all our teams before we can start thinking about next weekend !!!
Puma,
Against the Blues the Bulls were just stupid.
At home the Bulls wont make the same mistake, but if there is one team that can counter the Bulls at their strengths, even at home – it is the Crusaders…
Bloues,
Still need to make my picks – but I am leaning towards the Saders!!!
Blouste,
Only the supporters mate, the Sharks had the Stormers number for 4 years now, they are not taking this lightly.
Remember a win here for the Stormers means a semi secured…
@ 14…. YES !!!!
Now I have peace in my heart about the Saders game… 🙂
13 – Blouste, Just read that Alberts and Deysel probably will start 😀 Still waiting to hear on John though.
14 – Morne, Saders know this is a must win game for them. They lose it think they are out of the semi. They only on 34 points. Then they have Brumbies, they pick up 5 points there then only on 39. So if they don’t beat the Bulls they are out of it unless they pick up a bonus point or two for losing with 4 tries and not lose by more than 7. Then they still in it.
Yes, Bulls played crazy against the Blues, but Blues worked out the game to play them that day. I worked but never worked against the other saffa sides. Well so far think they will beat the Lions too.
Thats great news Puma…
Contrary to popular believe I think this game might be a lot closer than most feel…
I = it
20 – Blouste without those two and John really don’t think we stood a chance, not ever actually. Also think without Muller we might be a little light weight. Though Hargreaves is very good in the lineout.
I would start with Zuks too and not Stefan. We may have more pace there at outside centre. Actually we should start with Zuks even if he has not played yet this year in the S14.
gooooooooooooooooodmorning everyone!!
puma @ 18
not good news for us, though
A local derby is always an intense affair !!!
Watch this space…
Then again 74-15 Springs to mind… 😆
There are no easy games in the Super 14, you get a little thing wrong and the game is in the bag for the opposing team…
This Friday evening it will be no different at Loftus, the Bulls will have to be fully switched on and play what has worked for them… that being the territory and possession game they so effectively use in the second half.
What worries me is that the Bulls start games so slow and almost always manage to go behind on the score board until they come back like slow poison and successfully close out a game. We’ve all said that somewhere, sometime one of the biggies is going to get a headstart and deny the Bulls comeback….
I’d like to see a better intensity from the start as well as the tactical nous they have shown in latter stages of games.
Although I agree that the Saders do not look like the Saders of previous years, they are still in it and up there with the bigger fish.
So, in essence, I’m worried about Friday…
23@ Asbak – Hello biffday blogger…. Heppy, heppy!!
Hoe hang die ghoenne?
gbs @ 26
so klein bietjie laer as gister
onthou eks nou ñ JAAR OUER!! 😀
As, gaan lees die posts van gister vir jou gelukwense !!!
Almost a “geriatric” now hey 😉
blouste @ 28
gelukkig nog nie so OUD soos jy nie!! 😆
27@ Asbak – So jy’s nou uit jou Dirty Thirties en in jou Naughty Forties….
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