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Mitch Hunt opens up on the clash of cultures between the Highlanders and Crusaders

Mitch Hunt. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

A year after his move south from the Crusaders to the Highlanders, Mitch Hunt has opened up on the contrasting cultures that drive the two franchises.

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Hunt made the move to Dunedin from Christchurch ahead of the 2020 Super Rugby season in search of more game time with his impact at the Crusaders limited due to the presence of star first-five Richie Mo’unga.

During his time with the Crusaders, the 25-year-old won a hat-trick of titles as part of one of the most successful teams in the competition’s history.

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That success continued on through to 2020 when the Crusaders won an unprecedented fourth straight crown when they claimed the Super Rugby Aotearoa title while Hunt was playing in his debut campaign with the Highlanders.

The Dunedin franchise struggled in comparison to their South Island neighbours, with the side picking up just one win from six outings in Super Rugby prior to the COVID-19 lockdown.

Adding just three more wins to their tally from eight matches in Super Rugby Aotearoa, the Highlanders finished in fourth place, although Hunt enjoyed an impressive run of form, as reflected in his selection for the North vs South game.

It wasn’t just the field aspect that Hunt found enjoyable in his first years with his new team, as he got a taste for the famed off-field culture that has become synonymous with the Highlanders.

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That culture has often made the franchise an appealing destination for prospective Super Rugby players, with Hunt noting considerable differences in the way in which the Highlanders operate compared to the mightily successful Crusaders.

While speaking to the What a Lad podcast last November, Hunt outlined those differences to podcast host and former Hurricanes playmaker James Marshall.

“It’s sort of led and driven through the players,” Hunt told the What a Lad podcast of the Highlanders’ approach to training.

“You’ve got guys like Nuggy [Aaron Smith], Colty [Liam Coltman], Ash Dixon and stuff to lead the culture, and just the way things were driven around the team, and a lot of the young guys, they’re just good bastards in the group, and the middle group too, they’re just real good fellas.

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“I guess that culture of the mix [of players of varying statures] there was just awesome.”

By comparison, Hunt suggested the weight of history, expectation and success led the Crusaders to their three successive titles during his time there.

“I guess the Crusaders culture was more driven around that hard work, you do your work, and the success just drove the culture,” he said.

“If we worked hard, we were getting results. That whole team flow was awesome too. Great guys there.

“Razor [head coach Scott Robertson] led that group really well in terms of his theming through the seasons, connecting everyone really well too.

“Slightly different tweaks [between the Highlanders and Crusaders], but just two great teams to be a part of.”

Hunt started at No. 10 for the Highlanders against the Crusaders in their Farmlands Cup pre-season clash in Temuka on Friday, guiding his side to 26-0 lead at half-time before being subbed, with his former side eventually running out 28-26 victors.

The two sides will do battle again in a fortnight’s time when they open the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa competition at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

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RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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