Rugby: Flynn looks forward to end to constant travel

Corey Flynn. Photo / Getty Images

The Crusaders attended a function to thank the workers putting together the new Christchurch Stadium yesterday and if Corey Flynn had his way he would have organised the snacks and served the drinks himself.

The veteran Crusaders hooker is grateful for all the work that has gone into the temporary stadium and excited his team have the chance to play at home in Christchurch for the first time since May, 2010.

Flynn is aware his side's last game in the earthquake-rattled city was against the Brumbies almost two years ago, and it could well be the catalyst the team needs to get back on track following its one-win, two-loss start to the season.

The Crusaders have a bye this weekend but are scheduled to play the Cheetahs at their new home the following Saturday. Hopes are high for a 17,300 full house.

"They reckon they're going to be sweeping out the changing sheds and painting the lines right up until kick-off but they've promised us it will be done and it's just great to see the amount of work and effort that's gone in," Flynn said.

"A few of the boys had their first look at the stadium. It's awesome. Before seeing it there was a feeling of 'it will be done when it's done' but now seeing it, it looks like a stadium, there's grass there, the lights are up. It just needs the finishing touches - it's hard not to get excited."

Playing in front of a supportive crowd and enjoying home comforts are psychologically important to any team. Throw in the fact that the ground rarely stopped shaking when the Crusaders were away last year and their achievements in making the Super Rugby final against the the Reds are thrown into sharp relief.

"By the end of last year the wives and partners and kids of some of the boys were fair fed up with it, and understandably because while it was hard getting up and going every week it was also easy because we were staying at nice hotels and the ground wasn't shaking," said Flynn.

"We were safe, it was the families back here ... at any point there could have been a massive earthquake and we didn't know what was going to happen.

"Just for that fact alone making sure we're in town as much as possible - if worst comes to worst we are here. It's great for peace of mind, that's for sure."

The Crusaders have been on the road for six weeks already, with three pre-season games away, and matches in Auckland, Dunedin and Napier.

Although the game against the Chiefs at McLean Park was a "home" game, taken there for financial reasons after a delay to the completion of the Christchurch Stadium, the away team enjoyed a lot of support and came away with a 26-21 victory.

Flynn, 31, who has played 104 times for the Crusaders, said he understood the reasons for taking the match to Napier rather than to franchise cities Nelson or Timaru. The move didn't play a part in his team's poor performance - just as the Dunedin venue didn't lead to the loss to the Highlanders a week before.

"Against the Highlanders I just think we got out-passioned as a team. We had 15 guys from the Highlanders who wanted to come out and thrash us and we didn't match that which was disappointing. Against the Chiefs I feel we matched that intensity, we were up for that fight but it was the execution and clarity that wasn't there."

The front row of Flynn and starting props Ben and Owen Franks appeared to struggle against their opposites Mo Schwalger, Sona Taumalolo and Ben Tameifuna, but there were no excuses.

"We as a front row have to put our hands on our hearts and say we messed up there and we've done that. It's all about reassessing on the field and making plans for what we come up against."

Being at home a little bit more frequently will probably help too.