Doing Christchurch proud - Crusaders V Stormers

Spirit. The Canterbury Crusaders were always wonderful footballers, but today as the rain beat down in South Africa, and they played yet another 'away' match to get themselves into the Super Rugby final of 2011, they showed their heart and their spirit.

A year where the city of Christchurch has been decimated. Where the people of the city are leaving in droves, fearful for their lives, aware that they live on land that is on a heaving, breathing timebomb. The Crusaders rugby team, one of the greatest rugby teams admittedly of all time, showed why they have always been champions.

Today they played for their families, their friends and the people of their city. They have not played a home game, travelling all season to far flung places to fight and to give people a glimmer of enjoyment from lives that have been riddled with fear and grief, and more fear. I didn't think that they would win against the Stormers in South Africa. I thought this was going to be one journey too far, one final too much.

I was so wrong and I am so pleased to be proved so. Tonight the Canterbury Crusaders played their hearts out. Brave in attack. Lion hearted in defence. Their forwards, magnificent. Burly south africans - put on the rack, by a sturdy, ferocious Cantabrian scrum. In attack, the backs ran through gaps and defended with every last inch of their being.There were no stars tonight. This was a team of men, playing for each other and their people back home.

I'm very proud to be a New Zealander today. I don't care if the Crusaders win or lose the final next week against the Queensland Reds (who are a fantastic side incidentally).  They have come this far. They have been heroic, hopeful, stoic, good. All the qualities that the greatest of New Zealanders are known for.

It may be an Everest we have to climb next week, but if the Crusaders beat the Reds in Brisbane, after all the many Super Rugby titles this champion side have won in the past; this will be the sweetest and most glorious of victories.

Please read the article below I have linked to. It typifies what I want to say but what I don't have the eloquence to write in this moment: Crusaders shine a beacon of hope for Christchurch's suffering citizens (UK Independent online newspaper)

Super Rugby at Twickenham - Crusaders V The Sharks

It was a balmy day at Twickenham yesterday, the first day of daylight saving, and the hint of spring making you feel good to be alive.  Although the crowd did not exceed expectations (only 35,000 turned up in the end), the lower tier of the stadium was still packed and we were able to remember and do our bit for the Christchurch relief fund in the stands.

The rugby was simply stunning, with the Crusader's attacking backs, aided by Sonny Bill Williams running wild in the first half.  I could be biased but some of the tries took my breath away. Into the second half, the Sharks decided to wake up, mounting a spirited comeback while some of the Crusaders took their foot off the pedal for a bit of a snooze. (Why do NZ teams do that?) 

The rugby purists in the North may say that this was powder puff rugger with a lot of dodgy defence, but I think they might just be a wee bit jealous.  Sure, the defence was leaky in places (but what game doesn't have leaky defence?). This was rugby played at a frantic pace with both teams willing to attack and create a spectacle to cheer the hearts of everyone watching.

Man of the match was indeed - Dan Carter (does he ever have a bad game at Twickenham). The Crusaders impressed not only in the backs but also with their dominant scrum and at the breakdown, the Richie McCaw replacement of Matt Todd had everyone wondering how these Cantabs manage to find so many quality loose forwards.

Rave reviews of the match have been written about the game in London with the Time's Stuart Barnes almost orgasmic in his observations: 'These teams produced a game of rugby so far in excess of anything in the recent Six Nations that the implications are frightening," he said. "The earth moved today at Twickenham in an altogether more munificent manner. The rugby world showed its support for Christchurch and in return the Crusaders produced a mini epic."

Not everyone was pleased. The Saracens chairman was unhappy that the RFU had agreed to play the match at Twickenham as it meant that only 7,000 people turned up for an Aviva Premiership match between the Saracens and Newcastle held at the same time.  It was a typically ungenerous thing to get up in arms for (but I don't expect anything less from these rich English clubs that want for nothing when it comes to player time and resource).  Also, I for one was never planning on travelling to Watford to watch the Saracens and I suspect the majority of people at Twickenham were the same.

Not to be too churlish however to the English rugby community. The majority were supportive to let this game be played and a big thank you to the RFU for letting this go ahead. And if the Saracens really want more people coming to their matches, maybe they need to start playing some rugby like this..... 

Tweet