Crusaders (rugby union)

"Canterbury Crusaders" redirects here. For the speedway team, see Canterbury Crusaders (speedway).

For the Welsh rugby league team, see Crusaders Rugby League.

Crusaders

Logo Crusaders
Union	New Zealand Rugby Union
Founded	1996
Location	Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Region	Buller Canterbury Mid-Canterbury South Canterbury Tasman West Coast
Ground(s)	Rugby League Park [1] (Capacity: 18,600)
Coach(es)	Todd Blackadder[2]
Captain(s)	Richie McCaw
League(s)	Super Rugby
2011	2nd
1st kit 2nd kit
Official website
www.crusaders.co.nz

The Crusaders (formerly the Canterbury Crusaders) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Christchurch that competes in the Super Rugby competition. They are the most successful team in Super Rugby history with seven titles (1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008). The franchise represents the Buller, Canterbury, Mid-Canterbury, South Canterbury, Tasman and West Coast provincial Rugby Unions. Their main home ground is AMI Stadium,^{[n 1]} formerly known as Jade Stadium and before that, Lancaster Park.

Formed in 1996 to represent the upper South Island of New Zealand in the Super 12, the Crusaders struggled in their first season and finished last. Their performance improved in 1997 and the team finished sixth (out of twelve teams). The team went on to win all three titles from 1998 to 2000 despite each final being played away from home. They again won the competition in 2002 after going through the season unbeaten. In the following two seasons, they again reached the final, although they were beaten on both occasions. 2005 was the last season of the Super 12 before its expansion. After finishing top of the table in that season, the Crusaders went on to host the final in which they defeated the Waratahs. As a result of winning their fifth Super 12 title, the Crusaders were given the trophy to keep. In 2006, the Crusaders hosted the Hurricanes in the inaugural Super 14 final and won 19–12. In 2008 the Crusaders hosted the final at AMI Stadium against the Waratahs, and won the match 20–12 to claim their seventh title.

In addition to winning more Super Rugby titles than any other team, the franchise also holds several competition records, including most points in a game and most tries in a game, both achieved in their 96–19 victory over the Waratahs in 2002. Ironically the Crusaders also hold the record for the least points scored in a game when they were defeated by the Highlanders 6–0 in 2009. They have also scored the most points (541) and most tries (71) in one season, both achieved in 2005. Individual players also hold records: Andrew Mehrtens for most points in a Super 12 season (206 in 1998), and Rico Gear for most tries in a season (15 in 2005). Six players have played over 100 games for the franchise: Justin Marshall, Reuben Thorne, Caleb Ralph, Greg Somerville, Leon MacDonald, Richie McCaw and Chris Jack. They also have two International Rugby Board Players of the Year: Dan Carter (2005), and Richie McCaw (2006), (2009) and (2010).

History

Beginnings: 1996 and 1997

The Crusaders' franchise was created as one of five New Zealand teams in the Super 12. Originally named the Canterbury Crusaders, the Crusaders' franchise area encompassed the upper South Island of New Zealand (see Super 14 franchise areas), and was formed from the Buller, Canterbury, Marlborough, Mid-Canterbury, Nelson Bays, South Canterbury, and West Coast rugby unions.^{[5][n 2]} The original Crusaders team of 1996 was captained by All Blacks prop Richard Loe and coached by Vance Stewart.^[6] The Crusaders struggled in the inaugural season and finished bottom of the table with only two wins.^[7] Their eight losses included a 49–18 loss to the Blues and a 52–16 loss to the Queensland Reds.^[8]

The following season saw a change in captain and coach, with Todd Blackadder succeeding Loe as captain and Wayne Smith taking over as coach.^[6] With five wins, the team finished the round-robin stage in sixth place.^[9] The improvement was particularly illustrated by the Crusaders' 29–28 loss to the defending champions, the Blues, which contrasted with their 49–18 loss the previous season. (The Blues also went on to win the 1997 title).^[10] During this loss, Leon MacDonald was taken out with a shoulder charge by Robin Brooke. While the Crusaders attempted to get MacDonald back on the field, the Blues scored two tries, including one by Brooke, who was later suspended for two weeks for the shoulder charge.^[10] In their last game of 1997, the Crusaders beat the Queensland Reds 48–3 at Lancaster Park, now known as AMI Stadium.^[9]

Hat trick: 1998 to 2000

The Crusaders won their first title in 1998, despite starting the season with three losses in their first four games. They finished the round-robin by winning their last seven games, culminating in a last-round win over the Coastal Sharks (now the Sharks) that gave them second place in the round-robin phase of the competition.^[11] Their second-placing allowed them to host their semi-final at Lancaster Park, where they won the match 36–32 against the Coastal Sharks.^[12]

In the final at Eden Park, the Crusaders faced the Blues, who were heavy favourites. According to Crusaders' hooker Mark Hammett, "If we'd been polled in that week, and had to give an honest answer, most of the boys, deep down, would probably have thought that the Blues would beat us."^[13] The Crusaders were ahead 3–0 at half time, but the Blues scored first after half time to take a 10–3 lead after 53 minutes.^[14] After Crusader Norm Maxwell scored a try, the game was tied 10 all. Then, after a penalty each, the two teams were tied 13 all with one minute of regulation time remaining.^[15] At that moment, Andrew Mehrtens chipped the ball for James Kerr to run onto and score, giving the Crusaders a 20–13 win after the try was converted.^[16] The ten points scored by Andrew Mehrtens in the final contributed to his total of 206 points for the season − a record for the Super 12.^[17] Upon the Crusaders' return to Christchurch, they were given a parade through the city that drew 100,000 people.^[15]

“	We're a regional selection... and it's important to remember that, besides Canterbury, we also represent Nelson Bays, Marlborough, Buller, West Coast, Mid-Canterbury and South Canterbury	”
— Todd Blackadder, Crusaders captain, 1998 Super 12 victory speech[18]

The 1999 season was equally successful for the Crusaders despite struggling to make the play-offs in fourth place after winning their last four round-robin matches.^[19][20] They defeated the favoured Queensland Reds (who had finished top in the round-robin) in their semi-final to advance to the final against the Otago Highlanders (since renamed the Highlanders).^[20] The all-South Island final in Dunedin was promoted as "the party at Tony Brown's house" after Highlanders first five-eighths Tony Brown.^[19] Again playing away from home, the Crusaders won 24–19. The decisive try of the match was scored by Crusaders winger Afato So'oalo when he chipped the ball, then out-sprinted All Blacks winger Jeff Wilson to collect the ball and score.^[21][22]

Following the All Blacks' semi-final loss in the 1999 Rugby World Cup, Wayne Smith succeeded John Hart as All Blacks coach.^[23] Crusaders manager Robbie Deans replaced Smith as Crusaders coach. In Deans' first year in charge, the Crusaders won their third title in a row − a feat that has not since been repeated.^[6] The Crusaders finished second in the round-robin, earning them the right to host a semi-final in which they faced the Highlanders at Jade Stadium.^[24][25] Two tries in the final 20 minutes by Marika Vunibaka helped the Crusaders to a 37–15 win.^[26] The 2000 Super 12 Final was played against the Brumbies in Canberra, Australia, where the weather for the final was icy, with sleet and snow.^[27] The game was low-scoring, with only one try each. Four penalties by Mehrtens gave the Crusaders a 12–6 half time lead. Following a Brumbies penalty four minutes from time, the Brumbies led 19–17.^[27] However, the Crusaders were awarded a penalty from the resulting kick-off, and after Mehrtens converted the penalty, the Crusaders went on to win the game 20–19.^[28]

Development of a legacy: 2001 to 2005

Crusaders scrum against the Brumbies in May 2006

After winning three consecutive Super 12 titles, the Crusaders finished tenth in 2001 — their worst finish since 1996. The season was the last for captain Todd Blackadder before he left to play for Edinburgh in Scotland.^{[29][n 3]}

The Crusaders bounced back dramatically in 2002 when they went through the Super 12 season unbeaten, achieving their fourth title. Although the Crusaders won all eleven of their round-robin matches, six of them were won by a margin of seven points or less.^{[n 4][30]} Their eleven round-robin games also included a record 96–19 win over the Waratahs in the final match of the round-robin stage, which was especially noteworthy given that both teams finished at the top of the table.

The Crusaders met the Highlanders in their 2002 semi-final, which they eventually won 34–23 after being ahead 18-6 at half time. The following week, they faced the Brumbies in the first final to be hosted at Jade Stadium. The Brumbies trailed 11–3 after the first half, having had only 30 per cent possession.^[31] Although the Brumbies closed the gap to 14–13 with eight minutes to go, the Crusaders held on and steadied to win 31–13 with a last-minute try to Caleb Ralph.^[31][32] The season was their first under the captaincy of Reuben Thorne, who went on to captain the All Blacks until the end of the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

The Crusaders' winning run finally came to an end when they were beaten 39–5 by the Blues in the third round of the 2003 Super 12 season.^[33] Although their 15-match unbeaten streak had ended, Richie McCaw said of the loss, "...in some ways it was almost a relief. We'd finally been beaten, the run was over, so people could stop talking about it and we could get on with playing it week by week."^[34] The Crusaders recovered to finish second on the table with eight wins.^[35] They hosted a semi-final against the Hurricanes, who were coached by Colin Cooper, a former assistant coach for the Crusaders. Despite this inside knowledge of the team by the Wellington coach, the Crusaders won the match 39–16.^[35] In the final, the Crusaders met the Blues, another team coached by a former Crusaders assistant coach, Peter Sloane. Hooker Mark Hammett scored two tries to give the Crusaders a 10–6 lead at half-time.^[36] The Blues hit back to lead 21–10 with ten minutes to go. The Crusaders managed another converted try, but it was not enough, and the Blues won 21–17.^[36]

The Crusaders' 2004 season began with two losses: first to the Waratahs, then to the Blues.^[37] They recovered to again finish second on the table with seven wins.^[38] They played the Stormers at Jade Stadium in their semi-final, and won 27–16.^[38] They met the Brumbies at Canberra Stadium in a replay of the 2000 final. The Brumbies dominated in the final, scoring 33 unanswered points in the first 19 minutes.^[39] The Crusaders managed to salvage some pride by narrowing the loss to a 47–38 finish.^[38]

The 2005 season started with a repeat of the previous year’s final: a Brumbies victory over the Crusaders in Canberra.^[40] There was a win the following week at home over the Chiefs, followed by a win over the Reds at Trafalgar Park.^[41] Although there was a 35–20 loss to the Bulls after Crusaders captain Richie McCaw was knocked unconscious, they eventually finished the regular season top of the table.^[42][43] McCaw returned from his five weeks on the sideline to lead the Crusaders in their semifinal victory over the Hurricanes.^[42][43] They faced the Waratahs in the final at Jade Stadium. Leading 14–6 at halftime, the Crusaders then moved out to a 29-point lead.^[44] Despite three late tries by the Waratahs, the Crusaders won their fifth title with a 35–20 win.^[44][45]

As a reward for their seventh finals appearance and fifth title, the Crusaders were allowed to keep the Super 12 trophy.^[46] After the 2005 season, the franchise saw the departure of stalwarts Andrew Mehrtens and Justin Marshall, both of whom had played for the team since its formation in 1996.

Super 14: 2006 to 2010

Further information: 2006 Super 14 season, 2006 Super 14 Final

The Crusaders playing the Bulls in 2006.

In 2006, the Super 12 expanded to form the Super 14 when the Western Force from Perth, Australia, and the Central Cheetahs from the Free State and Northern Cape Provinces, South Africa joined the competition. An unbeaten run of sixteen matches was nearly halted when the Crusaders drew with the Western Force in Perth in round eleven.^[47] The following week, the unbeaten run was ended when the Crusaders lost to the Stormers in Cape Town.^[48] That loss was their only one of the year, as they finished top of the table with eleven wins.^[49] After beating the Bulls in their semi-final, the Crusaders faced the Hurricanes in the final at Jade Stadium that was played in a thick fog, causing poor visibility.^[50] Sections of the crowd could not see the field, and many spectators left during the match.^[50] The scorers were tied 9–9 going into the game’s last 20 minutes. The Crusaders' Casey Laulala then scored the game’s only try before the match finished 19–12.^[50]

In the 2007 Super 14 season, seven Crusaders players missed the first seven rounds of the competition to participate in an All Black "conditioning programme".^[51] The conditioning programme was part of the All Blacks' 2007 Rugby World Cup preparations; 22 players were selected for the programme. The Crusaders' seven players in the programme was more than any other New Zealand Super 14 franchise. The Crusaders players were Chris Jack, Richie McCaw, Greg Somerville, Reuben Thorne, Dan Carter, Leon MacDonald, and Aaron Mauger.^[51][52][53] All but one of the seven returned to play for the Crusaders in their eighth round match against the Stormers (Greg Somerville did not return due to injury).^[54] The Crusaders climbed to second on the table before defeating the Western Force 53−0 at Jade Stadium in the tenth round.^[55] The victory over the Force was the one hundredth Super rugby win for the Crusaders - the first franchise to reach the milestone.^{[55][n 5]}

The Crusaders were top of the table going into the last round of the Super 14 before the play-offs. In order to guarantee a home semi-final they needed to defeat the Chiefs at Jade Stadium. The Chiefs won 30–24 – and ended the Crusaders 26 game winning streak at home.^[56] As the Bulls defeated the Reds 92–3 in the same round, they overtook the Crusaders to finish second in the round robin.^[57] The Crusaders then traveled to Pretoria to face the Bulls in their semi-final where they lost 27–12.^[58]

The 2008 season was another highly successful one for the Crusaders. After finishing top of the table at the end of the last round,^[59] they comfortably defeated the Hurricanes 33–22 in the semi-final,^[60] and went on to beat the Waratahs in the final 20–12.^[61] It was a fitting way to send off long-serving coach Robbie Deans before he departed to coach Australia.^[62] It was also the last game for Crusaders stalwarts Caleb Ralph and former captain Reuben Thorne.^[63] In July that year former captain Todd Blackadder was appointed Crusaders coach, and his former teammates Mark Hammett and Daryl Gibson were appointed as assistants.^[64]

The 2009 season started with a sole win and a draw from the Crusaders' first five matches; this included a 6—0 loss to the Highlanders.^[65][66] The side found its feet later in the season, and won key away games which ultimately saw them finish in fourth place on the table — just ahead of the Waratahs.^[67] Both the Crusaders and Waratahs finished the season with 41 competition points, but the Crusaders advanced through to the semi-finals due to a greater 'points for and against' difference.

The Crusaders lost their semi-final to the Bulls 36–23 at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria in front of a capacity 52,000 crowd.^[68] The Bulls went on to win the 2009 Super 14 title beating the Chiefs 61–17.^[69] Statistically, the Crusaders had the best defensive record of the 2009 competition — conceding just 198 points. However, points for, and total tries scored was the second lowest in the competition with just 231 points and 27 tries.

In 2010 the Crusaders had a very good start to the season before a poor finish with three losses in four games caused them to have to travel to Orlando Stadium, Soweto to face the Bulls. They lost the semifinal 39–24.

New era: 2011 to present

The 2011 season had a minor hiccup at the very beginning with a two point loss to the Blues. Their second round match against the Hurricanes was cancelled, and match declared a draw after the Christchurch Earthquake on 22 February which caused 182 deaths. In their first match after the earthquake they played the Waratahs, a team that had only conceded six points in their previous two games. The Crusaders triumphed 33–18 in a convincing display in front of a sold-out stadium. They next played the Brumbies and brushed them aside in a 52–10 demolition. They next played the Highlanders who had previously only lost one match in the season, to the undefeated and table-topping Stormers. The Crusaders won comfortably 44–13 in Dunedin. The next team they played, the Sharks, had like the Highlanders previously only lost one match in the season before the Crusaders won 44–28 at Twickenham for a one off match due to earthquake damage at their own ground. They played the second match in Timaru Alpine Stadium against the Bulls in a sell out crowd winning 27–0. Round 9 they played the Chiefs in Mt Maunganui and gained four trys winning 34–16 with Richie McCaw returning after eight weeks off with injury. The Crusaders lost the inaugural Super Rugby final in Suncorp Stadium to the Queensland Reds. Will Genia scored a crucial try for the Reds to help them to a 18–13 win.^[70]

Name and colours

The Horsemen performing to the crowd before a match

The Crusaders' name was chosen to reflect the crusading nature of Canterbury rugby.^[71] A potential name was also the Plainsmen; however, this was not chosen, as "Crusaders" recalled the English heritage of the city of Christchurch.^[71] Christchurch was established by English emigrants in the 19th century and is often described as the most English city outside of England.^[72][73] The franchise adopted Canterbury's traditional sporting colours of red and black, as worn by the Canterbury provincial rugby team.

Franchise area

⊗ AMI Stadium

⊗ Alpine Energy Stadium

⊗ Trafalgar Park

The Crusaders' franchise area consists of the regions controlled by the Buller, Canterbury, Mid-Canterbury, South Canterbury, Tasman and West Coast rugby unions.^[5] Like all New Zealand Super Rugby sides, the Crusaders are able to protect 24 players from within their franchise area each season. They then must go to the draft (which consists of New Zealand-based players not protected by any of the five Super 14 franchises) to fill their squad.

Before 2006, when the domestic National Provincial Championship was reorganised, Canterbury was the only provincial union playing division one (now ITM Cup) within the Crusaders' franchise area. As a result, the majority of Crusaders players played for Canterbury. Today, the Crusaders' franchise area contains two ITM Cup sides — Canterbury and Tasman.

Grounds

The Crusaders' main home ground is the 36,000-capacity AMI Stadium in Christchurch,^[74] however they did not play there during the 2011 Super Rugby season due to damage inflicted by the February Christchurch earthquake. The Crusaders usually take one game each year to another part of the franchise area, most often when the New Zealand cricket team is playing at AMI Stadium.^[75] Previous venues have included Trafalgar Park in Nelson, and Alpine Energy Stadium in Timaru.^[75][76] As part of the pre-match buildup when playing at home, Conquest of Paradise is played while several horsemen dressed as knights circle the field.^[77]

The Crusaders' management proposed playing a 2005 regular season match in Melbourne when Jade Stadium was unavailable.^[78] Although five of the franchise's seven provincial Unions^{[n 6]} supported having the regular season game in Melbourne, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) vetoed the proposal.^[78] In 2006, the Crusaders did play a pre-season match in Melbourne against the Western Force at Olympic Park Stadium.^[79] They did the same in the 2008 preseason as well, also against the Force.

Due to the 2011 earthquake, the Crusaders played four games at Trafalgar Park, and two in Timaru during their 2011 season. They also played a "home" game in Wellington in Round 18 against Hurricanes, and a special home match against the Sharks at Twickenham in London. The London match was a fundraiser for earthquake relief, and was the first Super Rugby match ever contested outside of the three participating countries.^[80] In the first 30 hours of ticket sales, over 30,000 were purchased; a spokesman for United Ticketmaster indicated that the response was the strongest he had experienced for a rugby match outside of internationals.^[81]

With AMI Stadium still out of comission for the 2012 season, the Crusaders have indicated that Rugby League Park in Addington would act as their home ground for that season in order to recentralize their games in one location as opposed to the road show that was the 2011 season. The ground will get a limited makeover taking it to an 18,600 capacity and bringing its facilities to the minimum standards required of the Super Rugby competition. Whether or not the ground will be their home for one season or longer term remains to be seen.^[1]

Super records and achievements

The Crusaders won five of the ten Super 12 competitions, and lost another two finals.^[82] They also hosted the inaugural Super 14 final, which they won. Between 1998 and 2006, the Crusaders made the final every season except for one, in 2001. Their seven titles make them the most successful team in Super rugby history.^[83]

Season standings

Super 12

Super 14

Super 15

Season	Pos	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	BP	Pts	Notes
1996	12th	11	2	1	8	234	378	-144	3	13
1997	6th	11	5	1	5	272	235	+37	4	26
1998	1st	11	8	0	3	340	260	+80	9	41	(defeated Blues in final)
1999	1st	11	7	1	3	324	262	+62	3	33	(defeated Highlanders in final)
2000	1st	11	8	0	3	369	293	+76	7	39	(defeated Brumbies in final)
2001	10th	11	4	0	7	307	331	-24	7	23
2002	1st	11	11	0	0	469	264	+205	7	51	(defeated Brumbies in final)
2003	2nd	11	8	0	3	358	263	+95	8	40	(lost final to Blues)
2004	2nd	11	7	0	4	345	303	+42	6	34	(lost final to Brumbies)
2005	1st	11	9	0	2	459	281	+178	8	44	(defeated Waratahs in final)
2006	1st	13	11	1	1	412	210	+202	5	51	(Defeated the Hurricanes in final)
2007	3rd	13	8	0	5	382	235	+147	10	42	(Lost to the Bulls in semi-final)
2008	1st	13	11	0	2	369	176	+193	8	52	(defeated Waratahs in final)
2009	4th	13	8	1	4	231	198	+33	7	41	(Lost to the Bulls in semi-final)
2010	4th	13	8	1	4	388	295	+93	7	41	(Lost to the Bulls in semi-final)
2011	2nd	18	13	1	4	436	273	+163	7	65	(Lost to the Reds in final)

Competition records

Record points scorer Dan Carter preparing to kick a conversion.

The Crusaders team and members of its squad hold various competition records in both the Super 12 and Super 14. The Crusaders hold the record for most points in a game, with their 96–19 victory over the Waratahs in the 12th round of the 2002 season. This game set the record for the most tries scored (14), and the most conversions in a match (13).^[84] In 2005 the team set the record for most points scored in a season with 541 and most tries in a season with 71. The Crusaders also feature in the record for the lowest combined score in a game when they were defeated by the Highlanders 6–0 in the 4th round of the 2009 season.^[66]

Several individuals have achieved competition records whilst playing for the team. Most notable are records for individual points scored in a season: Andrew Mehrtens holds the Super 12 record of 206 points, achieved in 1998;^[85] while Dan Carter holds the Super 14 record of 221 points.^[86] Andrew Mehrtens also holds the record for Super points overall, with 990 accumulated during his Crusaders career.^[87] Rico Gear holds the joint record for tries in a Super 12 or Super 14 season, with 15 tries in 2005.^[85] In round ten of the 2007 season, the Crusaders defeated the Western Force 53–0 and in the process became the first team in Super rugby to win 100 matches.^[88]

Players and coaches of note

2012 Squad

The squad for the 2012 season:^[89]

Props Nick Barrett Wyatt Crockett Ben Franks Owen Franks Hookers Corey Flynn Ben Funnell Quentin McDonald Locks Tom Donnelly Ross Kennedy Luke Romano Sam Whitelock

Loose Forwards Richie McCaw (c) Matt Todd Kieran Read Joe Wheeler George Whitelock Luke Whitelock Half Backs Andrew Ellis Willi Heinz First Five-Eighths Tyler Bleyendal Dan Carter

Centres Ryan Crotty Robbie Fruean Tom Taylor Adam Whitelock Wingers Zac Guildford Sean Maitland Patrick Osbourne Full Backs Israel Dagg Tom Marshall

2012 Wider training group

The 2012 Wider training group has not yet been announced.

Notable players

Main article: List of Crusaders players

Six Crusaders have played 100 games or more for the Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Justin Marshall, Reuben Thorne, Caleb Ralph, Greg Somerville, and most recently, Chris Jack. Half-back Justin Marshall was the first player to achieve the feat, playing for the Crusaders between 1996 and 2005.^[90] Both Thorne and Ralph achieved the 100 game mark at the same time; however, Ralph had played nine of his matches for other franchises: three for the Chiefs and six for the Blues.^[91][92] Ralph achieved the "100 Crusaders games" feat later that season; remarkably, they were played consecutively.^[93] Greg Somerville became the next player to contribute 100 games for the franchise, achieving this in the 2006 semi-final against the Bulls.^[94] The first match of the 2008 season was Leon MacDonald's 100th game,^[95] and on the 11 March 2011 Chris Jack started against the Brumbies to play his 100th match for the Crusaders.^[96] The Crusaders also boast two winners of the IRB International Player of the Year Award: Dan Carter (2005) and Richie McCaw (2006, 2009 and 2010).^[97]

Team of the decade

On the eve of the last Super 12 final in 2005, a panel of experts picked the Crusaders team of the decade, which was published by the Christchurch Press. The experts chosen to select the team were: Tane Norton (former All Blacks captain), Vance Stewart (first Crusaders coach), Dick Tayler (president of supporters club), Bob Schumacher (former Christchurch Press rugby writer) and Tony Smith (Christchurch Press rugby writer).^[98]

The most notable omissions from the team were Dan Carter, Richard Loe, and Reuben Thorne.^[98] Daniel Carter was omitted due to the strength of Andrew Mehrtens and Aaron Mauger who occupied the first and second five-eighth positions respectively, and because he was regarded as "the star of the next decade". Despite being considered one of Canterbury's best ever props, Richard Loe missed out as he was only in the team for the unsuccessful 1996 season.^[98] The former All Black captain Reuben Thorne was omitted due the quality of players in the lock and blindside flanker positions. The most unlikely inclusion was for Norm Berryman at right wing.^[98] Berryman was picked over Marika Vunibaka and Afato So'oalo due to his crucial tries late in the 1998 and 1999 seasons that helped the Crusaders qualify for the semi-finals.^[98] The team:

Crusaders Super 12 Team of the Decade
Number	Name	Position
15	Leon MacDonald	Fullback
14	Norm Berryman	Right-wing
13	Daryl Gibson	Centre
12	Aaron Mauger	Second five eighth
11	Caleb Ralph	Left wing
10	Andrew Mehrtens	First five eighth
9	Justin Marshall	Half-back
8	Scott Robertson	Number eight
7	Richie McCaw	Openside flanker
6	Todd Blackadder (Captain)	Blindside flanker
5	Norm Maxwell	Lock
4	Chris Jack	Lock
3	Greg Somerville	Tighthead prop
2	Mark Hammett	Hooker
1	Greg Feek	Loosehead prop
16	Corey Flynn	Hooker
17	Richard Loe	Loosehead prop
18	Brad Thorn	Lock
19	Reuben Thorne	Blindside flanker
20	Mark Robinson	Half-back
21	Dan Carter	First five eighth
22	Marika Vunibaka	Right-wing

Coaches

The Crusaders were coached in their first season by Vance Stewart, who was assisted by Aussie McLean.^[6] Stewart was replaced by Wayne Smith in 1997; McLean too was replaced, by Peter Sloane. Smith continued as coach until he was appointed All Blacks coach after the 1999 season. Robbie Deans took over the reins for the 2000 season. Deans has had several assistants: in 2000 and 2001 his assistant was Steve Hansen; in 2002, Colin Cooper; in 2003 and 2004, Don Hayes; and in 2005 and 2006, Vern Cotter.^[6] Deans' assistant for the 2007 season was former Crusader Mark Hammett.^[99] Deans was appointed coach of Australia in December 2007, but was allowed to continue coaching the Crusaders in the 2008 season. Former captain, Todd Blackadder was appointed his successor in July 2008, with Hammett continuing as assistant coach.^[2] Hammett was appointed Hurricanes coach from the beginning of the 2011 season,^[100] and consequently former prop Dave Hewett was appointed assistant forwards coach.^[101]

Notes

1. ^ AMI Stadium was badly damaged in the February 2011 earthquake, and whether the stadium will reopen is unclear.^[3][4]
2. ^ The Marlborough and Nelson Bays unions have since amalgamated to form the Tasman Rugby Union.
3. ^ Before leaving for Scotland, Blackadder led the Canterbury NPC team to victory in the 2001 National Provincial Championship.^[29]
4. ^ Seven points is significant because it is the value of a converted try.
5. ^ It was also the Crusaders' first victory over the Force - they drew in 2006.
6. ^ The Marlborough and Nelson Bays rugby unions had not yet merged.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Gorman, Paul (8 September 2011). "League park Crusaders' new home". The Press. http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/rugby/5587306/League-park-Crusaders-new-home. Retrieved 26 September 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Blackadder confirmed as Crusaders coach". NZPA. nzherald.co.nz. 23 July 2008. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10523065. Retrieved 23 July 2008. 
3. ^ Ford, Greg (30 July 2011). "Christchurch's AMI Stadium's future in doubt". The Press: p. A1. http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/5363203/Christchurchs-AMI-Stadiums-future-in-doubt. Retrieved 30 July 2011. 
4. ^ Greenhill, Marc (1 August 2011). "Fate of AMI Stadium not yet decided". The Press: p. A3. http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/5367284/Fate-of-AMI-Stadium-not-yet-decided. Retrieved 3 August 2011. 
5. ^ ^{a b} McIlraith (2005), pg 320.
6. ^ ^{a b c d e} McIlraith (2005), pg 321.
7. ^ McIlraith (2005), pg 235.
8. ^ Gifford (2004), p.151
9. ^ ^{a b} McIlraith (2005), p.243
10. ^ ^{a b} Gifford (2004), p.159
11. ^ Gifford (2004), pg 169.
12. ^ McIlraith (2005), pg 252.
13. ^ McIlraith (2005), pg 84.
14. ^ Gifford (2004), pg 171.
15. ^ ^{a b} Gifford (2004), pg 172.
16. ^ McIlraith (2005), pg 85.
17. ^ McIlraith (2005, pg 335.
18. ^ Howitt (2005), pg 61
19. ^ ^{a b} Gifford (2004), pg 174.
20. ^ ^{a b} McIlraith (2005), pg 260.
21. ^ Gifford (2004), pg 175.
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Print sources

• Gifford, Phil (2004). The Passion - The Stories Behind 125 years of Canterbury Rugby. Wilson Scott Publishing. ISBN 0-9582535-1-X. 
• Howitt, Bob (2005). SANZAR Saga - Ten Years of Super 12 and Tri-Nations Rugby. Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 1-86950-566-2. 
• McIlraith, Matt (2005). Ten Years of Super 12. Hodder Moa. ISBN 1-86971-025-8. 
• Palenski, Ron (2003). Century in Black - 100 Years of All Black Test Rugby. Hodder Moa Beckett Publishers Limited. ISBN 1-86958-937-8. 

External links

• Official site
• Data and statistics itsrugby.co.uk
• Crusaders Super 15 Rugby News

Preceded by 1997 - Blues 2001 - Brumbies 2004 - Brumbies 2007 - Bulls

Super 12/Super 14 Champions 1998 (first title) - 1999 (second title) - 2000 (third title) 2002 (fourth title) 2005 (fifth title) - 2006 (sixth title) 2008 (seventh title)

Succeeded by 2001 - Brumbies 2003 - Blues 2007 - Bulls 2009 - Bulls