The Crusaders

2006 Preview

They dominated the Super 12, winning it five times - as much as all the other teams together. Clearly they are a team of pedigree players, right out of the top drawer.

There is something about them that shouts 'champions' every year. No matter how poor they look in the early stages, you just know they will recover sooner rather than later and put together a series of performances that gets them into the play-offs.

And once there, the play-offs, they seem to suddenly grow bigger in stature. Those mere mortal become super humans as they sweep all before them.

The Crusaders have the recipe right and you can't argue with five titles in 10 years.

We look forward to seeing some more classic stuff from them.

Strengths: They have talent. Even after the loss of such rugby greats as Justin Marshall, Andrew Mehrtens, Norm Maxwell and Dave Hewett, they have enormous talent. It is astonishing that a side can wave goodbye to an icon like Mehrtens without a tear in the eye because one of those still on their books is Dan Carter, the IRB's Player of the 2005. They have a winning culture. No team ran the Super 12 the way the Crusaders did - and that after a disastrous start in 1996. They are organised and expect victory. They have the advantage of being pretty well a one-town team. They come from Canterbury and live in Canterbury.

Weakness: The loss of some strong men may well mean that the depth is a bit of an unknown quantity. It may leave them longing to have Sam Broomhall and Sam Harding back to back up Reuben Thorne, Mose Tuiali'i and Richie McCaw. And they may rue not having selected Greg Feek in the hope of great things from the likes of young Wyatt Crockett, who is 22, and Ben Franks, who is 21.  At lock, too, they have young men who may well end up as stars - Craig Clarke (22) and Kevin O'Neill (23).

Noteworthy signings: Craig Clarke  (New), Wyatt Crockett (New), Andrew Ellis  (New), Ross Filipo (Wellington), Ben Franks  (New), Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty), Cameron McIntyre (Highlanders), Bradley Mika (Auckland), Kevin Senio (Chiefs), Steven Yates  (New).
 
Noteworthy losses: Sam Broomhall (Clermont Auvergne, France), Vilimoni Delasau (Highlanders), Greg Feek (not selected), Sam Harding (Northampton, England), Dave Hewett (Edinburgh, Scotland), Justin Marshall (Leeds, England), Norm Maxwell (Japan - and back), Andrew Mehrtens (Harlequins, England), Jamie Nutbrown (Chiefs).

Coach: The coach is Robbie Deans - a great player and a great coach, a thoughtful man who can get a team to play thrilling rugby. He has the art of combining organisation and freedom of expression.

Captain: Richie McCaw is one of the great players of modern rugby - the brave, relentless fetcher, which means that he is a committed team man and will lead from the front. He is, as he deserves to be, a hero and an inspiration to many around the world.

Player(s) to watch: You're eye will be drawn to Dan Carter. And you will watch those who play inside of him, Kevin Senio and 21-year-old Andrew Ellis, a local of great promise. You will want to watch those great loose forwards Richie McCaw and Mose Tuiali'i and see how teenager Tanerau Latimer fits in with them. Out wide you will enjoy the skill of Leon MacDonald and Rico Gear.

2005 Position: Champions
Best finish: Winners - 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005
Worst finish: 12th in Super 12 in 1996
Home Venue: Jade Stadium, Christchurch

2006 Prediction: The winners - yet again

Crusaders squad: Daniel Carter, Craig Clarke, Wyatt Crockett, Andrew Ellis, Ross Filipo, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Rico Gear, Scott Hamilton, Chris Jack, Campbell Johnstone, Tone Kopelani, Tanerau Latimer, Casey Laulala, Johnny Leo'o, Leon MacDonald, Richie McCaw, Cameron McIntyre, Aaron Mauger, Bradley Mika, Kevin O'Neill, Caleb Ralph, Kevin Senio, Greg Somerville, Reuben Thorne, Mose Tuiali'i, Steven Yates.

Schedule:

Saturday 11 February: v Highlanders, Christchurch
Saturday 18 February: v Reds, Brisbane
Saturday 25 February: v Sharks, Timaru
Saturday 4 March: v Blues, Christchurch
Friday 10 March: v Chiefs, Hamilton
Friday 17 March: v Cats, Christchurch
Saturday 25 March: Bye
Saturday 1 April: v Hurricanes, Wellington
Friday 7 April: v Waratahs, Christchurch
Saturday 15 April: v Cheetahs, Christchurch
Friday 21 April: v Western Force, Perth
Saturday 29 April: v Stormers, Cape Town
Friday 5 May: v  Bulls, Pretoria
Friday 12 May: v  Brumbies, Christchurch