SUPER 14 - Crusader Murray is still Northland boy at heart

THE Crusaders may be rebuilding after the departure of Robbie Deans - but, according to new recruit Bronson Murray, they're still the team to beat when the Super 14 kicks off this weekend.
"There's only one team to watch out for this year and that's the Crusaders, definitely," the Northland prop said.
The Blues might be his provincial team's official franchise, but Murray's selection continues a strong Northland association with the Crusaders, forged by players such as Norm Maxwell and Norm Berryman.
There have been plenty of changes in the Crusaders' playing roster, as well as former captain Todd Blackadder returning to take the reins at the franchise. Ten players left the champions at the end of last season. Most, like stalwart Reuben Thorne, have gone overseas to work on their retirement funds.
Fellow Northland loan player Jared Payne is another of the new boys recruited by the Crusaders coaching staff to fill the gaps, with a lot expected from Taranaki's Thomas Waldrom, Otago's Jason McDonald and Isaac Ross. A few Tasman players have also been called into the squad and the Crusaders academy has contributed the rest of the roster.
"There's a fair bunch of us who are new but we're all looking forward to getting our first game under our belts this weekend," Murray said.
The Crusaders have won the Super rugby title seven out of the 13 times it has been contested - and Murray is only too aware that the Canterbury public have high hopes for the season ahead.
"They've always had high expectations down here, but that's not worrying anyone here too much. I'm sure we're going to have a good season," he said.
The 27-year-old prop, from the small west coast community of Whangape, near Kaitaia, was recruited after playing for the Blues last season. His form in the Air New Zealand Cup and his ability to play both tighthead and loosehead made him a valuable asset for the side.
Working with former Canterbury legends Mark Hammett (line-out) and Dave Hewitt (scrum) will give him a welcome opportunity to soak up their knowledge of the game. "We've been doing quite a bit of scrum work in the last two weeks and I've learned some new techniques. We've had our work broken down by looking at it on camera," he said.
He said the season had arrived quickly but the team are confident of success after good hit-outs against the Western Force and the Highlanders.
"We got here in November and we've worked hard, but the time has just disappeared and we're into it already this Saturday."
The Crusaders play the Chiefs at home first up. The visitors have also shown good pre-season form.
Murray said he has settled into his new franchise and, although he has temporarily changed his colours from the Cambridge blue to red and black, he will be back to add to his 72 Northland caps.
"I'm definitely coming back home for the Air New Zealand Cup," he said.