Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson hopes that his side can give stalwarts like Sam Whitelock a fitting farewell in their final season of Super Rugby.
Robertson is bidding for a remarkable seventh Super Rugby title in 2023 in what could be his final season in charge.
While Robertson, who has been linked with the All Blacks job after the World Cup, was unwilling to comment on his future, he did say that the ‘farewell factor’ will be used as motivation for the upcoming campaign.
Embracing the last hurrah
Veteran lock Sam Whitelock plays his final season of Super Rugby this year, while long-serving fly-half Richie Mo’unga is also set to depart after signing a deal in Japan.
“We’ve got some great players, some great stalwarts and … the first thing is you’ve got to have the conversation. Sam [Whitelock] has had an incredible career,” Robertson told the media in the build to the start of the Super Rugby season.
“Let’s embrace that, let’s enjoy that, let’s reflect on it, and let’s use that as motivation – the incredible success he’s had with us, and how can we draw that out, so he can leave his mark this year?
“I call him a general commander because he’s got the ability to command on and off the field. His presence, game understanding and IQ is really high. He’s a hell of a man and just one example of those players we’ve got there.
“Let them stand up and talk about it at the start of the year, and then they own it.”
Setting the standard
The Crusaders kick off their title defence when they host the Chiefs in round one of Super Rugby on Friday, 24 February.
Last year, the Chiefs were one of three sides that managed to defeat the Crusaders, with the Blues and Waratahs also tasting success against Robertson’s side during the regular season.
Blues boss Leon MacDonald said that the Crusaders are the benchmark for winning the big games.
“You’ve got to be at your very best to beat them on the big occasion, and they play at their best in the big games. That’s their strength,” said MacDonald.
“The Chiefs have had success against them, and we tasted some success last year. We just know we’ve got to keep growing and working on our game.”
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