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Why Crusaders’ dynasty will ‘keep going’ without Scott Robertson

Scott Robertson observes the Crusaders pregame. Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images

When the full-time siren sounds at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday evening, incoming All Blacks coach Scott Robertson will officially end his tenure with the champion Crusaders.

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Having won six titles in as many years with the Crusaders, Robertson is looking to bow out of Super Rugby Pacific as a champion – and extend the team’s unrivalled dynasty to seven incredible years.

The Crusaders’ record under the man known as Razor is so impressive that former Wallaby Stephen Hoiles would be “shocked” if any team comes “close” to replicating the feat anytime soon.

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“When you look back and see it there, you realise what they’ve done going through the Covid scenarios they had to deal with,” Hoiles said on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.

“Quite simply, I’d be shocked if in 20 years’ time we see someone who’s going close to winning six.”

But if the history of Super Rugby has taught fans anything, it’s that the Crusaders are never really out of the fight.

After collecting the wooden spoon at the end of the first Super 12 campaign in 1996, the Crusaders improved to a mid-table finish the following year.

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But then the Crusaders as we now know them began to hit their stride.

The Christchurch-based franchise won three titles in as many years, or five titles in eight years through until the start of Super 14.

Another two titles in three years followed, before a uncharacteristic title drought of almost 10 years. But that’s when the Crusaders dynasty was born.

Scott Robertson might be stepping away along with the likes of Richie Mo’unga and Sam Whitelock, but this is the Crusaders.

Winning is embedded into their culture.

Former Waratahs coach Rob Penney will take over from next season, and an ex-Wallaby doesn’t think that much will change.

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Morgan Turinui expects the Crusaders’ dynasty to “keep going” as they usher in a new era under Penney.

“The Crusaders are going to keep going,” Turinui said.

“(Todd) Blackadder set it up well, Razor has taken it to another level, it’s set-up to continue.

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“It’s not an end of an era yet because the players just keep coming through the Canterbury system.

“Wayne Smith, Robbie Deans, all the way through to Scott Robertson. What an amazing footballing environment that is.”

This year’s Super Rugby Pacific final between the Chiefs and Crusaders is set to get underway at 7.05 pm NZST on Saturday at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium Waikato.

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Nickers 26 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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