Richard Loe: Keep our boys in the region

Brad Thorn is tackled at Trafalgar Park. Photo / Getty Images

I am convinced the Crusaders can win the Super Rugby competition, despite the difficulties of the Christchurch earthquake and the fact they might be forced to play every game away from home this season.

Clearly they have a capable team and showed on Friday night they can handle the emotion of what they have been through.

It has been tough on them all but there will also be tough times ahead. The tragedy has been draining on everyone and it will take time for normality to return.

But the Crusaders have a big role to play in Christchurch; bigger than ever before.

People will look to them for some relief from their own hardships and to return some pride to the region.

It will be a strain on the players, especially the top two inches, and it will be emotionally tough on them when they leave families behind to travel to Australia and South Africa.

But they have to get on with it. There is no other way. This is what they do.

There are plenty of examples around the world of sports teams and players dealing with adversity. Just look at the number of kids who grow up in the ghettos and go on to play in the NBA or NFL in America. What has happened is tragic but it cannot be used as an excuse.

I would hate, however, to see the Crusaders take home games outside the region.

If they can't be played at AMI Stadium in Christchurch, then they should be played in Nelson or Timaru.

I believe the franchise would be thumbing their noses to their supporter base by taking games elsewhere. I don't go to all Crusaders games in Christchurch but I would drive down to Timaru and make the occasional trip up to Nelson. There would be many others who feel the same way.

They got 10,500 fans to Trafalgar Park on Friday night. You can't tell me the Hurricanes or Chiefs will attract more than that every week, especially if they fail to shine.

Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach has to make a business decision but it shouldn't be just about 2011. He needs to consider 2012 and beyond.

If games can't be played at AMI Stadium this season, there must be serious questions about whether Christchurch can host Rugby World Cup games. Accommodation issues are one thing, but if the stadium isn't safe then there is no chance. That would be a big blow.

The Crusaders' win over the Waratahs on Friday night revealed as much about the visitors as it did the home side.

I always thought that if the Waratahs couldn't win this match, then they wouldn't win the competition.

Their lineout was OK but they got outmuscled and their scrum was shocking.

If this is the best team in Australia, it says a lot about the quality of the rest of the teams from over the Ditch.

It only makes me even more confident the Crusaders have the ability to win their eighth Super Rugby title.