JON CARDINELLI considers where Scott Robertson might rank in the Vodacom Super Rugby hall of fame and whether we will ever see another South African dynasty.
I first encountered Robertson at a media conference staged a few days before the 2017 Super Rugby final. He didn’t come across as a typical pro coach. Indeed, it was somewhat hard to believe that the man wearing a battered pair of slops and a cheeky grin was a former Super Rugby winner and All Black, let alone the brains behind of one of the world’s top teams.
Robertson’s demeanour didn’t change after the Crusaders beat the Lions at Ellis Park. He gave the media contingent a wink as he swigged from his winners’ mug. ‘It’s only Powerade,’ he assured us before breaking into his trademark cackle.
Three years later, and it’s plain to see how that laid-back demeanour has helped to foster a winning culture that’s culminated in three-consecutive Super Rugby titles. While the team has continued to innovate and the next wave of players has come through, the results and ultimately Robertson’s celebratory breakdancing antics have been consistent.
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The Crusaders have dominated across most facets of play for the better part of three years and are rightly spoken about as one of the best club teams in the world. The only other side that bears comparison at this stage is Saracens, who have won consistently in Europe over the past few seasons.
The Crusaders have now won 10 Super Rugby titles – more than any other side in the history of the tournament. Robertson won three as a player with the Crusaders between 1998 and 2002 under the tutelage of Wayne Smith and subsequently Robbie Deans. Two decades later, and he’s laid the platform for another dynasty at the famous New Zealand franchise.
The win against the Jaguares on Saturday marked the Crusaders 24th consecutive playoff victory at home and extended their unbeaten run for all games in Christchurch to 31. They are yet to lose a game at home during Robertson’s tenure.
JEAN DE VILLIERS: Crusaders’ culture is king
Former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers made an interesting point about the Crusaders in a recent column for SA Rugby magazine. While it’s clear that they have the game plan and personnel to beat most teams, it’s their underlying culture that allows them to grind out big victories and maintain winning momentum.
De Villiers is good mates with Ronan O’Gara, who has been serving as the Crusaders assistant coach. O’Gara has been impressed by what he’s seen in terms of the structures at the franchise and by Robertson himself. A lot of people – who were perhaps fooled by the laid-back demeanour – may not realise how influential Robertson’s been in taking the Crusaders back to the top.
The scorecard suggests that Deans is the greatest Super Rugby coach of all time, with five titles to his name – as head coach – between 2000 and 2008. Robertson must surely rank among the greats, though, after becoming the first coach in history to preside over three-consecutive title wins.
| COACH | TEAM | PERIOD OF SUCCESS | WIN% |
TITLES |
| HENRY | BLUES | 1996-1997 |
85% |
2 |
| SMITH/DEANS | CRUSADERS | 1998-2008 |
74% |
7 |
| MEYER/LUDEKE | BULLS | 2007-2010 |
71% |
3 |
| RENNIE | CHIEFS | 2012-2013 |
78% |
2 |
| ROBERTSON | CRUSADERS | 2017-2019 |
86% |
3 |
The Crusaders have bossed the attacking stats for the better part of three seasons. In the playoff games, however, their excellent defence and kicking game has come to the fore. Their composure – underpinned by a strong culture – has been the difference in the tight games.
The stats that matter, of course, are in the win column. And if we consider every coach who’s presided over a back-to-back title triumph or what some may call a dynasty, we can see that no side has been more consistent than Robertson’s Crusaders.
Under Robertson, the Crusaders have won 48 out of 56 matches for a success rate of 86%. They’ve claimed three draws – all of those in 2019 – and have lost five games in three seasons. The Waratahs are the only non-New Zealand side to beat the Crusaders during this period.
When will we witness the rise of a South African franchise in this manner? De Villiers addressed the concern in his column. Another thing that sets the Crusaders apart is the support they enjoy from the administration. Everybody at the franchise is pulling in the same direction.
You’d think that this would be common practice at every franchise that considers itself professional. Unfortunately in South Africa, the coaches and players are often compromised by off-field issues. Too many administrators are looking out for their own interests and there are too many amateur elements that tend to influence the way the top teams are coached and managed.
The Vodacom Bulls are the only South African franchise that can claim to have built a dynasty. It took a long time for Heyneke Meyer to build up the side during the Currie Cup and the Super Rugby success in 2007 was the product of nearly a decade of hard work.
Frans Ludeke took the side forward in 2009 and 2010. Those were the days when everybody at the franchise was pulling in the same direction. The culture was thriving, the tactics were producing the desired results and a South African franchise – wait for it – was recognised by all and sundry as the best in the game.
It will be some time yet before a South African side stands on the Super Rugby winners podium. Until the respective sides get their houses in order, they will not develop a culture and ultimately a team that can replicate Robertson and the Crusaders’ success.
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
