Crusaders Stumble Again: Questions Loom Over Their Season

Where to for the Crusaders in 2024??

Churchill Park in steamy Lautoka has once again proved to be the field of nightmares for the Crusaders.

Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji. Fijian Drua.  (Selestino Ravutaumada try 33min, Frank Lomani 45min; Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula 2 con, 2 pen) Crusaders.  (Sevu Reece 19 min; Taha Kemara con, pen)

Clouds Overhead: Forecasting the Crusaders’ Troubles

Half Time.  10-10.

There will be dark clouds hanging over the Red and Black team again this week, and I am predicting for the next three weeks as well.

They should normally be good enough to get out of any situation ,but with the next three games against the Hurricanes, Blues and Chiefs can you see 0-6 by the time the bye comes in round 7. What is a real worry, however, is that they are proving slow learners. Handling errors because of the soapy ball, lineout errors, they lost 5, and wonky long kicks – three were hoofed dead inside the first 55 minutes – contributed to their demise against a passionate Drua team. Then there was the turnovers, at least 20.

Three failed lineouts, occurring at crucial moments when the Crusaders were poised for attacking opportunities, disrupted their momentum and emboldened the Drua, suggesting that the team from Christchurch was vulnerable to being overtaken. Hooker George Bell was instructed to chuck the pill long as the Crusaders sought to launch from the tail, but those plans collapsed each time an error was made.

Behind 17-10, the Crusaders went to the bench to relaunch through fresh sets of legs but they continued to hinder their progress through poor execution, they kicked the ball dead twice,

A late penalty, against Joe Moody for failing to clear the ruck, kicked by Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, rammed the final nail in the coffin.

Rob Penney’s Coaching Under Scrutiny as Crusaders Face Crisis

So the questions must be asked. Was the hiring of Rob Penney a good thing? He was a good player, but good players don’t always make great coaches. I was coached by several ex players who thought they were good coaches, but they never were able to bring the team together. They did not know how to get their message across to multiple personalities. I have coached and it is not easy. In fact it was harder than playing the game. And bloody frustrating as well, as you watch players take poor options and make silly mistakes.

This is a proud club and one of the best in the world, so something has to change, and in a short space of time also.

SO WHAT DO YOU DO? Well you could be like the normal Political party and just criticise the other party with no answers. OR,

Crusaders’ Dynastic Era Fading: The Mo’unga Magic Gone?

The Crusaders third straight loss to start the season has confirmed that the dynasty is well and truly over. It is clear the Mo’unga magic is gone, so to Whitelock, Dunshea, Jagger, Sione Havili, Goodhue, Fainga’anuku, Jordan, and several others. Razor’s energy has left the building.

Having a 37-year-old halfback really showed in Luatoka. Veteran Willi Heinz is too slow to play Super Rugby Pacific, and after being capped by England is really of no benefit to the All Blacks.  Mitchell Drummond should be starting if Noah Hotham is not. While Hotham is still in the developmental stages, Drummond possesses the necessary tempo and precision required at this level. It would be beneficial for Hotham to transition to a lower level to gain more experience.

Despite his consistent effort and performance elsewhere on the field, hooker George Bell’s throwing skills are currently a persistent weakness. They need Codie Taylor real quick.

Crusaders’ Bell Rings Alarm: Lineout Woes Continue

Bell was picked off multiple times against the Waratahs and could not find his targets against the Drua. The lineout operated at 64 per cent in Fiji which is well below the required standard in Super Rugby.

Veteran Heinz Under Fire: Calls for Change in Crusaders’ Backline

Taha Kemara is not up to Super Level either. The young No 10 is facing a tough challenge with significant pressure on his shoulders at the beginning of the season. Last year’s NZ’s under 20’s first five wasn’t expected to be starting but Fergus Burke is still side lined and Rivez Reihana is out with the a head knock.

Kemara’s execution has not been there. Errant passes leading to ground contact, missed touch with kicks, and kicks going out of bounds entirely – it’s a showcase of unforced errors. It’s clear he’s not prepared for Super Rugby at the moment, and equally evident that the Crusaders aren’t prepared for him.

David Havili had three turnovers against the Waratahs, the most in the team, a charged down exit kick that gave away seven points, and two running metres from seven carries.

Against the Drua he had two more turnovers and his defensive channels against were terrible with a lack of communication outside and inside him leading to multiple line breaks for the Fijians.

Gardiner’s Challenges: Is it Time for Tactical Alterations?

Dom Gardiner, the 22-year-old, has shown flashes of promise, yet hasn’t been flawless, committing errors along the way. His recent yellow card against the Waratahs and frequent turnovers against the Drua highlight this inconsistency. Therefore, a tactical alteration is necessary as Ethan Blackadder needs a spot in the lineup.

The return of Blackadder is crucial for the Crusaders, as he offers more gain-line carries than Cullen Grace in the No 8 position. Blackadder’s unmatched physicality is a quality lacking in most of their current forwards, except Barrett. However, Barrett cannot carry the load alone; he requires support. Some of the All Blacks players must be rested—it’s a necessity. The Crusaders’ timid pack requires additional explosive power. Let’s leave Strange and Hannah for now.

Tactical Shifts Needed: Gardiner Out, Blackadder In for Crusaders

While Grace has been exceptional, his shift to blindside necessitates Gardiner’s exclusion from the starting lineup.

Bring in Crotty and McLeod, in the backs, both have experience at top level, Leave Aumua at 12, and Reece and Fihaki, and Springer, but Havil’i must go. Its not great but there is not many other players in the squad, so suck it up I guess.

Next weeks team if available.

Fihaki, Reece, McLeod, Aumua, Mataele , Hohepa, Drummond, Grace, Christie, Blackadder, Strange, Barrett, Newell, Moananu, Bower.

Is the new coach brave enough to make tough decisions? I doubt it. So probably more pain to come.

You can find the prediction article for the Crusaders vs Drua game here