The defence-oriented Crusaders had been left behind by the dynamic attacking style of the Chiefs, Highlanders and Hurricanes - and sometimes the Blues.
Then along came Scott "Razor" Robertson.
In his first season in charge, he has brought back the fear factor for teams going to play in that unwelcoming, draughty environment which is post-earthquakes AMI Stadium.
Robertson is like no other coach you are likely to meet, but similar to most surfies along Oceanbeach Rd, which is where he grew up - not much further than an Israel Dagg clearing punt from Blake Park.
He spent his early years either surfing or playing rugby with the Mounties at Blake Park and, after starting with the Steamers, he made his name in Canterbury and became Mount Maunganui College's second All Black.
On Saturday night, Razor masterminded the defeat of the Chiefs in the Super Rugby semifinal in Christchurch.
Despite having barely 30 per cent possession, the Crusaders suffocated the dazzling Chiefs plays and easily won the match in the end. Typically, it was not pretty, but mighty effective rugby.
It was a masterful game plan from an insightful character who is as far removed from the po-faced image of the All Blacks coaches as is possible to find.
As much as it hurt to see a Chiefs team with Bay of Plenty players Nathan Harris, Sam Cane, Liam Polwart and Aidan Ross knocked out of the final, I am so happy for Razor.
But the reward for losing just one game all season and being the best team in Australasia is to have to travel to Johannesburg to play the Lions in the final. Hardly fair.
I could fill the rest of today's sports section with what is wrong with the Super Rugby competition.
Let's just say greed for television income has forced administrators to take the best rugby competition in the world and reduce it to a farce. Adding extra teams has watered down the competition and lost fans in their droves.
Good luck in the final next Sunday, Razor.
I am sure some of your old surfing mates will be thinking of you when they cross the sand dunes with that glint in their eye heading for the waves.