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Dual international believes Crusaders can still be a threat in the playoffs
By Finn Morton
If the Crusaders can turn their season around and claim a spot in the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs then other teams may need to watch out according to dual international Mat Rogers.
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Defending champions the Crusaders currently sit second-last on the ladder with a surprising 1-6 record. The Western Force are the only team below them, and that’s who they’ll face in a decisive clash at Perth’s HBF Park on Saturday.
The Crusaders are coming off a heartbreaking golden point defeat to the NSW Waratahs in Sydney but they have a chance to make sure their trip across the Tasman isn’t for nothing in probably their most important game so far.
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Rob Penney’s men can leapfrog the Highlanders and Waratahs into ninth place with a win out west, which would then place them just a couple of points out of a spot in the top eight.
Former Wallaby Mat Rogers, who also represented the Australia Kangaroos in rugby league, would be “nervous” to tip against the Crusaders if they manage to work their way up the ladder and into a playoff-qualifying position.
“Well I can’t believe the Crusaders are in this position,” Rogers said on Stan Sports’ The Night Before Gameday.
“I thought after their first win, okay this will be something that’ll get them over the hump.
“You know what still fascinates me? They’re two games out of the eight – that’s it, only two games out of the top eight. If they get to the eight, I’d be nervous to be against them.”
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After their worst-ever start to a season in team history, the Crusaders showed signs of life in a statement win over the high-flying Chiefs in Hamilton at the end of last month.
It was the result they needed going into a bye week, but they weren’t able to repeat those heroics in the end against a valiant Waratahs outside at Allianz Stadium one week ago.
Wing Sevu Reece scored inside the opening minute as the Crusaders got off to an idyllic start in Sydney, but the Waratahs – to their credit – just wouldn’t go away.
Replacement Will Harrison scored an 83rd-minute penalty goal to send the contest to extra time, and the fly-half was the hero once again with a drop goal to win it shortly after.
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But there are positives to take out of it for the Crusaders, including a rapid double to Reece. The All Black has been named to start in the No. 14 jumper against the Western Force.
“The only time they’ve had a horrible season was right back when the comp first started in ’96,” former Wallaby Justin Harrison added.
“You’ve got blokes like Sevu Reece, unbelievable with the ball and also without the game… he comes in looking for work, six tries this season.
“That’s the thing about New Zealand sides, they get half a chance, guys like Sevu Reece (get) half a chance – points. Nine times out of ten.”
Absolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
He is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!