Analysis: The Crusaders look ominous again after refining their scrum and defence into offensive weapons, writes Patrick McKendry.
The Crusaders will head into their bye weekend secure in the knowledge they cannot be overtaken for second on the Super Rugby Pacific points table, no matter what happens in round 12, and with a belief two crucial aspects of their game are coming together in time for the playoffs.
Their 43-10 victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin at the weekend highlighted their attacking ability — including fullback Will Jordan, who was over for two tries within the opening 14 minutes.
But perhaps more importantly as they get to the business end of the season is the progress they have made with their scrum and defence.
Both were hugely impressive and will be increasingly crucial if they are to add to their 14 championships this year.
These two areas have also shown big signs of improvement, with hooker Codie Taylor’s yellow card in the first half having little effect on their dominance in the set piece.
Indeed, they succeeded in winning a scrum penalty despite having a numerical disadvantage, with in-form props George Bower and Fletcher Newell making life extremely difficult for their opposites, among them All Black Ethan de Groot.
The defensive developments are important too because the Crusaders’ two defeats this year – to the Chiefs (away in February) and Moana Pasifika (at home at the end of March) – highlighted a vulnerability here that has not been seen since, although the Hurricanes' late challenge in Wellington recently will have raised a few concerns.
The Crusaders made 218 tackles to the Highlanders’ 118 at the weekend – a huge discrepancy at this level that made their wide margin of victory all the more impressive.
Former Crusaders and All Blacks loose forward Matt Todd has the defence portfolio this season and the new assistant coach's messages and methods are now clearly cutting through.
Jordan, in sparkling form for the red and blacks and likely looking forward to a week off after playing in all 10 matches, was in no doubt afterwards about the key to the Crusaders’ recent run.
"Defence again," he told Sky Sports' interviewer Jeff Wilson. "It’s been a big thing for us over the last three or four weeks. I don’t know how many tackles we made but it would have been over 200, I would say.
"Our forwards are continuing to get up [and use] double shoulders, banging them over the gain-line."
A combination of injuries, lack of depth and inconsistent selections hampered the Crusaders last year – head coach Rob Penney’s first with the franchise – which contributed to what for them was a disastrous season featuring only four wins in total.
Now they and the Chiefs – on top of the table by virtue of their greater points differential – are the two standout teams for quality and consistency and appear most likely to make the grand final in June.
Does Jordan believe, Wilson wondered out loud, whether the Crusaders had their finals mojo back?
"I think so," Jordan replied, returning to a theme. "It starts with our defence… I’m really pleased with the work Toddy is doing in that space… we’re not the finished product yet – we’ll keep working."
A lighter injury list means Penney has more options this year but he also appears to have found his own form in terms of selections.
Before the Highlanders match, there were questions about why James O’Connor — so good off the bench as first-five Taha Kemara’s replacement and, indeed, pushing for a start — was left out of the playing squad, with Rivez Reihana preferred on his return from a long-term injury absence.
As it turns out, the decision may pay dividends, with Kemara suffering what appeared to be a serious knee injury in Dunedin that could end his season, and Reihana, who needed game time to be a more viable option for the playoffs, receiving just that.
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