Rugby: Gutsy draw hallmark of champs

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder. Photo / Getty Images

The Crusaders produced three minutes of rugby in Wellington that points towards them being there at the death, as always.

Who would bet against the Crusaders winning their eighth title following their dramatic late try against the Hurricanes?

Forget whether it was or wasn't a try. Forget even that the Crusaders had raced to an 18-0 lead in obscenely quick time before opening the door for the Hurricanes to re-enter the contest.

Remember only that when the last ember of the game was barely flickering; when hope was all but gone; the Crusaders forwards were still hurling themselves at the line believing they could get there.

Plenty of teams can hammer away in the dying seconds, come close and make their opponents nervous. It takes a special team to see it through - to retain possession for long enough and break a desperate defence.

That the Crusaders managed it against a ferocious yellow wall in the 83rd minute says everything about their commitment, belief and ability.

It was no wonder coach Todd Blackadder wasn't harbouring mixed emotions after the game.

He wasn't focusing on the big lead his troops let slip. He wasn't fuming about the lull in basic skill execution that took the edge off the Crusaders' potency in the second half.

"I was really pleased with the guts and determination that we showed," said Blackadder. "We were, if it makes sense, a kind of desperate calm. It showed tremendous character to fight back and score at the end."

Blackadder, having been captain for three Crusaders titles, knows what qualities it takes to win.

In his rookie coaching season last year, he managed a side that lived off passion and pride to make it to the semifinals against the odds.

It can't be ignored either that the best teams live off a little luck - big calls go their way.

Those final three minutes, then, have the feel of being seminal; of being worth more than the two points Ti'i Paulo's try salvaged.

The Crusaders will face the Waratahs this week in Christchurch, then the Cheetahs at home before taking on the Force in Perth. That's a run of games they will enter targeting a yield of at least 13 points, preferably 15.

With all the fighting qualities in place, the focus for Blackadder now is fine-tuning the machinery.

"We were guilty of making little mistakes [against the Hurricanes]. They came back at us very well as a side of their quality can and we dropped a bit of ball, threw some poor passes and let them off the hook."

That refining process will also focus on selection. So far, Blackadder has been happy to rotate in some positions and share the work. But he knows the back half of campaigns are when the fluidity of settled combinations bring rewards.

His loose trio of recent weeks - Richie McCaw, George Whitelock and Kieran Read - has gelled well and given the side go-forward.

There is, though, the prospect of bringing Thomas Waldrom back into the starting XV, as his all-action game at No 8 provides energy and something different.

There is also a brooding Isaac Ross and the hugely experienced Chris Jack to think about for the engine room.

At the same time, the Crusaders are hoping to boost the intensity of their work, they will have an eye on the Bulls, whom the Crusaders will be hoping take nothing out of Hamilton and Brisbane.