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Backs-to-the-wall Crusaders win extra special, says Robertson

Robertson has been tipped by many to be the next All Blacks head coach

Breakdancing Crusaders coach Scott Robertson felt their Super Rugby title win was particularly sweet because of the quality of the final in Christchurch.

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Overwhelming favourites ahead of the match, the Crusaders saw off the Lions for the second year in a row, but were under the cosh for much of the match as a brave defence kept the visitors at bay.

Robertson, who celebrated in trademark fashion with a breakdance on the pitch, was delighted with the way his players fought to secure victory.

“It’s massive for us in a number of ways,” he said. “To do it back to back, in a style like that.

“We made the most tackles we have all year, so that means the quality of the game was high. And to do it here, it had been 10 years since a home final in Christchurch.

“It’s always special because some of these guys have been with us a long time. To do it last year and do it again is very special.”

Captain Sam Whitelock had few words as the celebrations began on Saturday night, but Richie Mo’unga agreed with his skipper’s brief assessment that back-to-back titles “sound pretty awesome”.

“[The performance of] the defence goes to show how much we love each other, how much we care,” Mo’unga said. “We knew the Lions were going to keep coming and they did.

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“To invest so much in one season and give every bit of yourself, for it to pay off, is just an awesome way to finish the season.”

Crusaders flyhalf Richie Mo’unga was man of the match in an influential all-round performance.

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Nickers 23 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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