Who Scott Robertson believes is 'desperate' to dethrone Crusaders

Super Rugby champions the Crusaders have reigned supreme for quite some time now, having won six titles as many years. Their dominance is simply unprecedented.

Sports fans around the world have witnessed some incredible dynasties over the years, including Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls and Tom Brady’s New England Patriots.

But a rugby team, who calls a small island nation at the bottom of the world home, is in the midst of one of the greatest eras of dominance in the history of the 15-player game.

Including their maiden title in 1998, the Crusaders have won 11 championships – as well as another two in Super Rugby Aotearoa.

That’s 13 trophies in 25 seasons. To say that’s dominant is an understatement.

While Crusaders fans have come to expect success from their team, there are 11 franchises eager to dethrone the champions this season – including last year’s runners up.

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson believes the Blues will be “desperate and hungry” to win it all this season after losing last year’s final in Auckland.

“They’ll be desperate and hungry. They had a hell of a season, 15 in a row, won some tight games,” Robertson said on Weekend Sport with Jason Pine.

“The Blues are always a great rival, the Chiefs are pretty special. The semi-final was just as tougher or tougher in some ways than the final.

“Every one of those challenges is different. All New Zealand teams on their day are tough to beat.

“The Aussies have built their squads a big better, I think they’re better than they were two or three years ago, the Waratahs especially.

“We know the Brumbies and the Reds have got a great foundation to their team, a lot of Australian players, but for me the Waratahs are a big mover.”

As the adage goes, all good things must come to an end. Eventually, the Crusaders will reign no more.

But rugby fans have been saying that for years, yet, time after time, the champions prove everyone wrong.

Six-time champion coach Scott Robertson said that while the team have “always got a target” on their backs, the Crusaders need to focus on what they can control.

“You get into it straightaway and it’s a race to the top of the table,” he added.

“Bit different to the northern hemisphere where they have a bit more of a slower, grind of a season where for us you’ve got to be right on from round one.

“We’ve always got a target… when they beat you they think it’s their final, people are crying and they’re elated.

“When you’ve been successful that’s all part of who you are but how do you evolve and how do you get better?

“We get used to it. At the start, the first couple of years, (we were) probably looking at others, now we look at ourselves a little bit more.

“How we enjoy and frame it so we see it as ‘every game is big for us and our opposition’, but how do we be our best every week? How do we be consistent? How do we create an environment where guys feel like they’re getting better? How do we make more All Blacks?

“I pride myself on making sure that every week is special.”

Super Rugby Pacific gets underway on Friday with a blockbuster New Zealand derby between the Crusaders and the Chiefs in Christchurch.

Later that day, Super Rugby kicks-off across the ditch with a clash between fierce rivals the Waratahs and Brumbies in Sydney.